Gò0dNews for Everyone
On the Road Again
W
by Sandra Gilmore
hen living in East Tennessee, it doesn’t take
Not all the tears along this road were unhappy. Naomi’s
long until a John Muir quote surfaces, jarring
friends formed a welcoming committee for Naomi’s
us to discover something wonderful we’ve
daughter-in-love and blessed her, “All the people who were
overlooked. The embarrassment of neglect is eclipsed by
in the gate, and the elders, said, ‘We are witnesses. May
the joy of realizing something beautiful that’s been on
Yahweh make the woman who has come into your house
our path all along. Mr. Muir validates his quest into these
like Rachel and like Leah, which two built the house of
hills, “When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it
Israel; and treat you worthily in Ephrathah and be famous in
attached to the rest of the world.”
Bethlehem’” (Ruth 4:11).
We can take a cue from Mr. Muir’s point. Regarding the Bible, when one tugs at a single thing in the Bible, he finds it attached to none other than Christmas! This is the first in a series of articles about connections to Christmas. Stay tuned each month in 2022 for more articles about the unique and often overlooked connections to this sacred event. Our first tug toward Christmas is at a little town called Ephrathah or more specifically, the road connecting Ephrathah Bethlehem as it meanders even farther toward Jerusalem. True to form, this tug leads us across the dusty centuries to Christmas. Nothing changes the world quite like a road. Whether an intercoastal highway or a simple footpath, the landscape and scope of living become connected. Communities exchange philosophies along with produce, and cultures as well as commodities. The Psalmist assures us, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my
It’s no wonder the Christmas story unfolds in Matthew with a quote from Micah, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of
feet and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). Although
Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be
the road passing by Ephrathah mutely carries its travelers,
Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from
the Word spotlights grand events. Through Scripture, we
everlasting” (Micah 5:2).
know King David’s men found the Ark of the Covenant at
God’s people were steeped in the history of this road
Abinadab’s house near this tiny town. With a grand and
from Ephrathah to Jerusalem. The torch of prophecy and
holy procession, David took the Ark back to Jerusalem
the lantern of history shed light on this well-worn pathway.
(Psalm 132:6, 2 Chronicles 1:4). As Benjamin gasped his first
And even today, we’re looking to this road for connections
breaths from the dusty air alongside this road, his mother
to Christmas!
Rachel breathed her last (Genesis 35:19). Centuries later, as Babylonian soldiers forced Rachel’s shattered tribe to captivity (Jeremiah 40:1).
30 // March 2022
About The Author
Jeremiah’s tears would stain this road without recourse
Sandra Gilmore serves the Lord as wife, mom, and encourager, mostly through writing and speaking, occasionally through cooking, rarely through anything athletic and only because of the mercy and grace of Jesus. You can reach her by email: tandsgilmore@yahoo.com or her website www.sandragilmore.org.
