Bethlehem, to me means memory of beauty

Tonight was Bethlehem. The Hebrew meaning to this word is House of Bread as we commonly learn through Sunday School. Interestinly enough when it is also referred to as City of David, this is not a singular reference. David had many cities, this was simply one of them (however, probably one of the primary ones seeing as how David came from here).
We began New Testament today in class and it is truly phenomenal. Brother Draper aids my understanding of the scriptures so much, I am amazed at how they come alive. We discussed the introduction (the Gospels are not in order, the key principles to each book, etc.) as well as the beginning of the Nativity. This was particularly interesting because simultaneously we've been learning about the living conditions of the time and how they would have been living. Nazareth - a burg, Joseph - 18/19 yrs old, poor, Mary - 13/14 yrs old, poor, harsh social conditions with an oppressive king. Mary being thought to have compromised her virtue and having her entire family probably thinking lowly of her. Joseph feeling utterly betrayed for this 'consequence' from his espoused. An angel of the Lord, Gabriel coming to fix everything. She never had to travel to Bethlehem - only the men needed to make an accounting for, the women usually stayed behind. Mary deciding, although great with child and hence slowing the journey down, to go with Joseph because he out of everyone understood her the best (Gabriel enlightening). Jesus' birth was simple and ordinary like anyone elses - close family and midwives. The Draper interpretation of 'rogue' angels probably desperately wanting to celebrate the birth and so scaring the shepherds 'spitless' (of their hot chocolate of course). These shepherds realizing that the Jehovah of the Old Testament has just been born not too far away and their 'political king' they've been waiting for is here. (Wise men of course don't come for a few more years even though we depict them as coming the night of the birth) All these thoughts really touched home to me while we were in Shepherd's Field tonight. We had a small program (Once in Royal David's City with Channing and Emily Ward, Guard Him Joseph Catherine and Kristen Anderson, and First Noel Mike Henderson, Luke, and Spencer Wilcox and more) and afterwards contemplative time. I recalled a "psalm" I made at the beginning of July in 2006 and really felt the spirit strong, had an open gift tonight for writing, and was able to write a page similar to that psalm for where I feel I am right now in life and my feelings for the night. It really meant a lot to me. One part that was neat is that like the Big Dipper which hangs pouring completely on all the inhabitants of the Earth - the Lord blesses and loves us so fully. Bethlehem was very interesting to see - more pleasing to the ears due to the more quiet nature of the area versus the hustle of Jerusalem and Cairo.
Yes, while in Bethlehem we did go to the Church of the Nativity which was very interesting indeed. So many things remind me of pharaohs (Herod killing the children). I bought a fair share of olive wood carvings here (best wood, it's where all the other merchants get their items from, the merchants here are kinder and more honest, and much cheaper prices) but no baby blankets (white, knit, simple but beautiful). I've never seen it but I want to watch: on Christmas Eve around the world, everyone watches the multiple nations singing different carols in Manger Square? That'd be neat.
I still have the spirit with me although I'm nearly going to fall over in this chair I'm so tired. It's been a wonderful night. The contemplative time was very helpful indeed (and the writing I believe will help in the future as well), I was able to help prepare most of the musical program which made it mean so much more to me, I've been trying to near my God more and so am trying to listen to those promptings better. On listening I've found that I've got two areas the Lord knows I can identify (I'm rather dense sometimes and so simple things are good): 1)serving others is the best way to be a person of good cheer and happy, truly trying to love them. I've been trying to do this by taking care of other people but there's still more to be done in order to grasp a connection which I think is better than the physical serving and 2) It's even more difficult to aSk for help when you need it. Contemplating tonight I realized that I miss Tannon. I for some reason I was struck and needed to talk to somebody (Kristen Anderson) in confidence or call Mom and talk to Mom in confidence. Basically I needed a good cry and a chance to communicate forward thinking, forward faith - it's not the event that I dwell on but at times things hit a particular way. I decided that going outside my box would be to talk to Kristen and would be a way for me to listen to that prompting of how to grow closer to people around me. I appreciate that wonderful, beautiful, faithfilled girl so much. We have circumstances and personalities that make us very free and open in conversation especially with each other. I think the conversation was a way to help both of us in particular ways. We talked and talked and talked - and it was wonderful. About our families, the power of faith, loving others in order to act as God's tools, drawing close to others, Bryan and her friend who draw some of the best out in us, our frustrations and then our reconciliations with our natural man inside ourselves - it was simple beautiful. The chance to have that meaningful of a conversation truly this night part of why I won't forget it.
I love the Jehovah of the Old Testament. I love Tannon. I love Drew. I love Kristen. I love tenderness and kindness... and I love inspiration.