Bethlehem
December 9, 1979, 5:39 AM
You finally begin with just an act of faith, o favored son. Yesterday morning’s theme, Transitions, was quite evident, with rather immediate ideas of how it would develop. I offer you Bethlehem this morning, and you must accept it on faith. You will finally learn that when the theme hits your mind you are to write it down and commence, irrespective of whether it seems important or profitable. This whole venture is an act of faith. Don’t require so much “proof”. Just get on with it, whatever the word or phrase is.
This is Sunday, and you shall not worship today… shall not sing O Little Town of Bethlehem. It is the advent season, but you shall be late arriving in Bethlehem. It seems as though this happens every year, and this will be no exception. Bethlehem is the symbol, this day, of the peaceful “settling in” to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Bethlehem means being ready in spirit, mind, and body, for the Christmas experience. You are not yet near Bethlehem. Perhaps, with your job, you never will be. It is something important to ponder. Come thou closer to Bethlehem, even for some moments each day. Come and remember the beginning of this life of Mine which was My best Model. Remember. Celebrate. Experience rebirth in this birth of Mine.
This is also the third day of remembrance of Peter, for three years ago today you conducted the burial. (Yes, this makes it somewhat parallel to the Easter story). From Bethlehem to the tomb in the garden. From San Francisco to the hillside in Union County, in line with, but not quite in line with, the Cross. It was a day of sorrow and yet of celebration.
Christmas is a time of celebration, and still there always is a tinge of sorrow. To be not really ready for such a time should bring sorrow. And yet life’s responsibilities do not stop because of Advent. The innkeeper sorrowed that there was no room and that he was too busy to help. But he had his responsibilities. It is not necessarily to be otherwise, but it is right to acknowledge some sadness. Keep it in your heart that some year you shall go to Bethlehem early and shall celebrate without sorrow.
What would that mean? First, it would mean getting the Christmas letter out before the season. This was a true disappointment to Me this year… that you did not do this, despite My urging. The letter is… No, should be… a crucial symbol of your coming to Bethlehem. It should communicate to your friends and family, far and wide, how you and your family are in each Advent. You are coming to Bethlehem and drawing others with you with your words… Our words. And again you are missing the opportunity. Consider whether you really want to do this. There is time. Consider. Consider.
I do not command, because this is your gift. To command someone to give a gift (even if it is I who offer the command) is to prevent it from being a true gift. I just say again… Consider.
We talked one morning recently of My having fun. Another aspect of fun for Me is in the variety of ways I manifest Myself. The portrayal in Oh, God was true to My nature. I could have appeared in this bizarre way. For Bethlehem was rather unexpected, given the prophesies about My advent. It was bizarre, but it was good. This, that We are doing, is strange, by most standards of Me (though I have showed you clearly where I prophesied its happening). Yet it is real… and good. In a far-out symbolic sense you come to Bethlehem each time you sit down to write. I am “born”… I manifest Myself through these words. They are tangible, in some sense as Jesus was tangible. I give you something of Myself each day you come. So… come ye even unto Bethlehem… and hear the Word of the Spirit. Hear and be… as I in you, and you in Me would be.
Shalom for a Sunday
6:30 AM