While traveling in Great Britain a while back, I learned that St. Mary’s Hospital of Bethlehem – an imposing building in southeastern London, was founded in 1247. Several centuries later, that same hospital building was converted into an asylum for the insane. Where once the hospital had fostered peace and healing, it became a place of mental and physical anguish and abuse. Even its name was gradually shortened from Bethlehem to Bedlam. That word means “any place or situation of noisy uproar or confusion,” or “a lunatic asylum and madhouse.” After the peace of Bethlehem came the noise and confusion of Bedlam.

The writer of Proverbs stated that as a person pursues righteousness and love, they would discover life, prosperity, and honor. Now, I’m sure that this did not mean that all those benefits would come after only a few weeks spent in that pursuit. The writer is encouraging us to seek a life-long personal style of righteousness and love – a day-in- and-day-out kind of quest.

During the Christmas season, righteousness and love are commonly expressed through actions such as increased charitable giving, worship attendance, food baskets, greeting cards, volunteering, home visits, phone calls, AND smiles and cheery behaviors. Certainly, these are WONDERFUL! But, something seems to change after Christmas Day. Have you noticed how our benevolent attitudes and actions toward people start drifting away from righteousness and love? After Bethlehem comes Bedlam.
I hope that you’ll take out your appointment book, palm pilot, or 2003 wall calendar and look at the new year ahead. Turn to each month and write somewhere, “I will honor the Christ of Christmas in my heart all through this month” and the scripture written above – Proverbs 21:21. Writing out the verse is an excellent way of memorization. It also serves to remind us of God’s word, which can guide us every corner of our living. This project should only take 10 minutes, but its results will last the entire year!
Let’s vow to keep away the Bedlam by living in the midst of Bethlehem in 2003.

May this new year find you blessed and a blessing as you bring honor to our risen Savior, Jesus.

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