While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Luke 2:6-7
It may be Lent, but tonight we’re still in Advent – and we will be for the next couple of days! Straight from my travel journal – here’s my reflection from the day we visited the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, which is built over the cave where Jesus entered His life on earth.
After lunch we headed to the Church of the Nativity, which is not only the oldest church that is still used today, but it is said to be built over the cave that Jesus was born in. To enter the church, you must crouch down and step down through the entrance. Once inside the church, we made our way in line to enter the cave. First we entered a room with many ornamental decorations. There were even what looked like red Christmas ornaments hanging from the chandeliers and pendant lights. We all had to crowd into the room as it was nearing 17:30 and an orthodox procession was about to start. We began to descend a semicircle set of slippery marble steps – hands on the people before and behind us – steadying our way down into the cave. As we reached the bottom, there was the altar and star marking the birthplace of the new born King. We took turns – one by one – and eventually two by two – to speed up the process of kneeling at the Star, in a cave, in Bethlehem.
October 21, 2019
What is crazy is that from the outside, the Church of the Nativity looks rather large and it seemed like we only scratched the surface on our journey within. The whole process of going through the church, is such a symbolic journey that parallels Jesus’ entry into this world.
To get into the church, you must crouch down, bowing your head and bending to your knees to enter through the short doorway. And just as we made ourselves low, Jesus entered the world as a humble child, in a cave, in Bethlehem.
We were crammed into a room, with a section roped off for us to stand in as we waited to descend into the cave. The wasn’t much room for us to all fit, and we had to crowd our way in. Mary and Joseph came to Bethlehem for Augustus had decreed a census. Upon their arrival, there was no room for Mary and Joseph. Town of Bethlehem was crowded and Mary and Joseph were sent to the stables, where Mary swaddled Jesus and laid Him in a manger.
We were rushed in and out, a place of chaos, probably very similar to that starry night long ago.
October 21, 2019
After exiting the cave, we entered the adjoining Church of St. Catherine. From here you can access other caves used by Saint Jerome (Hieronymus in Latin) as he translated the bible into Latin. Outside was a courtyard with a statute of Saint Jerome in the center.
Christmas this last year was different – and I am positive that from now on it always will be. The context is different, there are real life experiences I can associate with the Christmas story. Advent won’t be the same – and I am okay with that. I feel so blessed to be able to see this beautiful moment in scripture in a new light. I’ll be reminded of Jesus’ humble entry when I see the small door.
Is there an experience in your life that causes you to read scripture differently? Are their experiences that you’ve had that you associate with scripture?
Father, thank You for sending Your son Jesus for us. As we remember how two thousand years ago Jesus entered into the chaos of the world in a humble way, remind us that still today You enter into our lives in the midst of our chaos. Help us to feel Your presence. Amen.
Abbey Jo
Adventures with Abbey Jo 
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