from Bethlehem to Calvary

I enjoyed the Greek salad I shared with my vegetarian friend last night as we delightfully talked about our funny travel experiences – all those bloopers.

This is the same vegetarian friend I had dinner with in this new Greek restaurant in town a few weeks ago.

We didn’t stay late because it’s a weekday, so I was home early enough to clean up some of the stuff I just left on my desk when I rushed to the office in the morning. I was filing some documents while musing about my conversation with my friend when my eyes traveled to the bookshelf on my wall close to the window and were fixed on an old Christmas card tucked in between two novels of James Clavell – King Rat and Gai Jin.

It was a card I received from a friend some Christmases ago. “It seems just like yesterday,” I told myself.

Yes, Christmas seems just like yesterday.

I opened the Christmas card and the note said: “Christ is the reason for the season. He came to give us life.”

While holding the card, I realized that it’s Lenten season. I tucked the card back to where I got it and pondered deeply on its message.

It’s loud and clear.

The reason for Bethlehem is Calvary. Christmas happened because of Gethsemane. Christ’s birth in the manger was for His death on the cross – so that I can have life.

Many people don’t believe this – precisely why it needs faith. Faith in the One who lived, died and rose from the grave – so that I can have life.

The story of Jesus Christ is written in the greatest published book in history… the Bible.

Though many reject it, God’s word has astoundingly stood the test of time.