A Bethlehem Christmas by Charles R. Swindoll

Author:Charles R. Swindoll
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2010-09-08T16:00:00+00:00

“But one man, in the city of Modein, a priest named Mattathias would not compromise, even when the sword was put to his throat. When one of his neighbors stepped forward to play the harlot and sacrifice to another god, the priest put his hand to the sword and killed him. Then he killed the general who ordered the sacrifice. Then he led all of Judah in a revolt against the enemy of the Lord.

“Later, when the courageous priest was about to die, he called his sons around him and said, ‘My children, live passionately for the Law and give your lives for the Covenant. Do not fear what sinners will say, for their success will come to ruin. My children, be courageous and grow strong in the Law, for by it you will gain honor.’

“Then his son, Judah the Hammer, took up his sword and defeated the Gentiles and gained independence for Israel. And when they entered the temple to restore the sacrifices, and to light the lampstand, all of the sacred oil had been defiled except for one container—enough for one day. But in faith, they lit the lamp as the Lord had commanded . . . and it burned for eight days! Enough time for the priests to prepare more oil for the temple!”

And, with that, the children threw their arms in air and cheered. The adults around the table encouraged them by adding their own shouts of joy.

As the celebration died down, he continued. “But . . .”

The children responded by looking concerned.

“When Judah the Hammer died in battle, his brother, Jonathan, led the nation. But he was not like his father, Mattathias.”

At that point, Eli drifted. What he said next was not for the children. I can’t even be sure it was for us. But with a faraway look, he lamented the servitude of Israel.

“He compromised with the enemy and asked the Romans for protection. And had himself declared High Priest . . . by Gentiles.”

Eli turned his face to the ceiling. Great tears rolled down the sides of his anguished face as he sobbed, “Made High Priest by Gentiles! . . . not by the Lord, but by Gentile kings! And now, Caesar’s puppets and petty criminals rule the sanctuary of the Almighty and dress their crimes in priestly robes. How long, O Lord, before You send Your Anointed One—the Messiah—to break the bondage of sin and deliver us?”

By now, my father had buried his face in his hands and the women had turned from the table to cry. Mary gathered the children in her arms and gently rocked as they hid their little faces in her garments.

As the two families quietly mourned the corruption of the temple, the flame of the first lamp continued its merry dance—just as it did one hundred sixty-two years earlier. The people of Judah had rejected spiritual compromise and cleansed the temple of corruption, and against all probability, a faithful little light refused to go out.

Somehow, I knew in my heart that Israel’s hope was not far away.

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