In this day and age, it takes much more courage for someone who is in the sports or entertainment arena to profess he is a Christian than it does for someone to profess that he is gay or a womaniser.
That is why I am very encouraged to read about how Zach Johnson and Kaka boldly make a stand for our Lord Jesus Christ, which I blogged about here and here respectively.
By the way, since then, Kaka has gone on to win the FIFA Footballer of the Year award. All glory to God!
But I digress...
Another person who boldy proclaims his faith is Sir Cliff Richard.
One of the hymns I remember singing in church during Christmastime was "O Little Town of Bethlehem". Well, this hymn was given a modern-day interpretation by Cliff in 1982, and released as a single with the title "Little Town" during Christmastime and reached #5 in the secular UK charts that year.
Hence the title of today's post.
Actually, Bethelehem was indeed a humble little town in Judea (as compared to the more renowned Jerusalem). But it was in God's sovereign plan that His Son would be born in the very same place where David the shepherd boy had grown up. (Of course, not to the extent of being born in a manger, but you get my drift).
Joseph and Mary were actually from Galilee in Nazareth, but had to travel all the way to Bethlehem because of the census that was taken. You can read more about Bethlehem here.
Back to the song "Little Town". The tune may have been changed, but the words of the original hymn remain unchanged.
O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie,
Above the deep and dreamless sleep,
The silent stars go by.
Yet in the dark streets shineth,
The everlasting light,
The hopes and fears of all the years,
Are met in thee tonight.
How silently, how silently,
The wondrous gift is given.
So God imparts to human hearts,
The blessings of His heaven.
We hear the Christmas angels,
The great glad tidings tell,
O come to us, abide with us,
The Lord Emmanuel.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still,
The dear Christ enters in.
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