O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!

Phillip Brooks 1867

Thoughts of Christ’s birth flood my thinking this time of year.  I find the truth of this verse, the final one in Silent Night, Holy Night, to speak to my soul in a special way.  The story is clear, Jesus appeared there in Bethlehem, two thousand or so years ago.

He was born in Bethlehem, a rather small and out of the way village.  Our hymn asks us to, likewise, be the home of Jesus, “Be born in us today.”  He will change us just as he did those who received him so many years ago.

Can I think of my life as a place where the newborn baby is born?  I am convinced that is so. Then I see him grow and finally lay down his life that I might live – eternally.  This is precious truth beyond words!  I bow in adoration with all who love Jesus and in whom He lives!