One Starry Night

By Percy Strickland, Assistant Rector at The Abbey, Pawleys Island, SC

Welcome to Bethlehem! A cacophony of voices ranging from parking attendants to robe-clad census guides invite the droves of people arriving at the campus of The Abbey on a brisk December evening in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. They have shown up to be counted and to experience firsthand the incredible story of the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Groups of 40-50 travelers are checked in and exchange their foreign currency for the denari that are used in and around Bethlehem; then they are handed over to their strange local census guides. Pleasantries are shared, and warnings are given. This is a strange night in Bethlehem. The Roman guards open the doors to the sanctuary, and we find an enthroned Herod who has a special message: He has heard of a special child, a Messiah, who is to be born in Bethlehem. Although he intimates that he only desires to worship the new king, no one believes him. But we are given a choice. If we do find this child, will we tell Herod?

As we step back outside, the night is upon us. Where will we stay? The roaring firepit welcomes the weary travelers to the door of one of the few inns of Bethlehem. The census guides ensure their group that they have the inside track. They will get rooms for everyone, but they are met with disappointment. Things are so full, the innkeepers recently turned away a man and woman, and the woman was with child. The best they could do was a manger. They offer warnings that the shepherds in the countryside have seen strange things. And so, the weary travelers continue on until they are met by shepherds tending sheep and goats out in the field next to the church. The children and adults delightedly pet animals that are far calmer than the shepherds, who are out of sorts. They have seen angels. The Messiah has come.

A string of lights on the ground and twinkling lights Illuminating the majestic live oaks usher the curious community to the edge of a small wooden barn. Strawberry the cow and Jeff the donkey stand reverently next to a man and young woman holding a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. They tell us the story. This is the child, the Messiah! They have called his name Jesus. He will save his people. He will save the world. Their guide pulls them aside. Before they go into the marketplace of Bethlehem, where they can spend their money-making crafts, training for the gladiator games or enjoying a hot cup of soup, they have to make a decision: What do we think about Jesus? Should we tell Herod?

The resounding answer? Jesus is Lord. We won’t tell Herod, but we will tell the whole world that our Savior has come. Jesus is king! Over 50 volunteers served 400-plus neighbors and friends, enabling them to experience that One Starry Night when our Lord became flesh and answer the question, “Is this Jesus real? Who should I tell?”

Percy Strickland is Assistant Rector at The Abbey, Pawleys Island. He has been married to Angie for 25 years and has six kids, two dogs, three cats and a pig. He gets deeply excited by Duke Basketball (his alma mater) and equipping the saints for the work of ministry (not necessarily in that order).