Two Very Different Towns

     When I was little, we used to go to a live nativity scene every year around Christmas. It was originally right outside of Broadwood Towers. It has now moved to the Presbyterian Church parking lot. At the nativity there were animals, shepherds, wise men, Mary, Joseph, and of course a baby Jesus. There was even the wooden stable and hay on the ground. I loved looking at the nativity and watching the people and animals interact. We always went at night, so that made it feel even more realistic.
     I remember asking once if that was the exact spot where Jesus was born. I thought New Bethlehem was the Bethlehem of Israel. I thought it was so cool that out of all of the towns in the world my town was where Jesus was born. I, of course, realized later that the real Bethlehem was actually very far away from my town. That made more sense because in all of the picture I'd seen there was no grass, and it seemed bigger than my town.
     This post has reminded me of a song I sing around Christmas every year at my church. The song is called "Not that Far from Bethlehem." I think one of the phrases fits this post perfectly.
"We're nor that far from Bethlehem where all our hope and joy began. For when our hearts still cherish Him, we're not that far from Bethlehem."