Tag: Christmas

“Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.’” Matthew 2:1-2 NLT

            The little town of Bethlehem is about to be noticed for being the birthplace of the living God in the flesh, the King of the Jews who brought salvation for all people. Jesus Christ, God the Son, would now be the greatest and most notable person to be born in Bethlehem. King David held that position for centuries throughout twenty-eight generations until passed down to his legal descendant to his throne, Jesus, the Messiah, the King of the Jews.

            There is no doubt to the validity of the wise men’s claim they came to worship the King of the Jews. These men coming from the east, known also as kings, were most likely magicians or astrologers. Their work was observing the skies and studying the stars. The area from which they came could have been Persia or southern Arabia. Most likely they were acquainted with the Jewish scriptures, specifically Daniel’s writings during the captivity of the Jews in Babylon. These wise men from the east knew of a promised King of Jews prophesied many years before. Obviously their study of the stars revealed to them something of a strange phenomenon, a star they couldn’t explain except for the birth of the Jewish Messiah.

            The star the wise men saw in their observation of the skies was approximately a distance of one thousand miles away. It shone brightly where it was placed among the stars over the Christ child in the little town of Bethlehem. Recognizing this is the prophecy fulfilled by the Hebrew God, the wise men set out for Jerusalem to search for, find, and worship the newborn King. They arrived in Jerusalem expecting the King of Jews had to be born in the Jewish capital. But that was not God’s plan. We find throughout our lives that God’s plan is not always what we think is the most reasonable or makes the most sense. But our Lord always knows what is best in every detail of our lives. His way may not be our way, but it is the best way.

            God chose a quiet arrival for His Son to be born. Jesus was born in a small town, in an animal stable in the middle of the night. There was no one else around Joseph and Mary when the time came. The announcement of His birth first came to lowly shepherds guarding their sheep on a hillside overlooking Bethlehem. Although there were many people looking for the Messiah to come, mostly for political change, the news of His birth first went to faithful shepherds who watched over defenseless animals, and to those one thousand miles away who truly sought Him after learning of the prophesies from ages past.

            The Jewish Messiah has indeed come, not with fanfare, but humbly to seek and save all the lost who come to Him for salvation. His invitation is open to everyone who seeks Him. Whatever your background, or wherever you were born, whether you are well-known or not at all-the Lord Jesus knows you and came that you might have abundant life in Him here on earth and in eternity. The little town of Bethlehem serves as a reminder that no one is small or insignificant in God’s eyes. He will save us from our sin and allow His light to shine within us for all to see.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Phillips Brooks – Lewis H. Redner

 O little town of Bethlehem How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by
Yet in the dark street shineth The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight

O holy Child of Bethlehem Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in Be born in us today
We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell
Oh, come to us, abide with us Our Lord Immanuel!

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.” Micah 5:2 NLT

            Many small towns across the United States are just that, sleepy little villages of no significance except for those who call it home. Every once in a while a small town becomes noticeably significant due to the birthplace of a noteworthy individual. The last half of 20^th century saw most U.S. presidents born and reared in small towns. Dwight Eisenhower was born in Abilene, Kansas, President Bill Clinton-Hope, Arkansas, and Jimmy Carter born in Plains, Georgia has lived there to this day. Lima, Ohio is the birthplace of NFL great Ben Roethisberger. The entertainment industry has several celebrities from small towns, Oprah Winfrey is from the small town of Kosciusko, Mississippi, and musical artist Taylor Swift was born and grew up in a small township in the area I now reside, Reading, Pennsylvania, not to mention the world’s most famous groundhog Phil from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

            These small towns all have one thing in common, they will all be forever remembered as the birthplace of that famous person until someone more famous comes along. What they also have in common is there was no advance notice that a United States president, a NFL player, or a major celebrity would be born in their town. Most people would not know what would become of these small town heroes in their younger years. There may have been glimpses of increasing intellect, wisdom, and talent paving the way throughout their lives, but nothing pre-determined that a well renowned person was among them. History records for us in the Bible a previous announcement that was made to a small town in Judah. It was pre-determined that one would be born in that town who will be a ruler of Israel. That small town is the little town of Bethlehem.

            Bethlehem, known as the city of David and the house of bread, is located about five miles southwest of Jerusalem. It is also called Ephrathah, Ephrath, and Bethelhem-judah. It is the burial place of Rachel, Jacob’s wife. (Gen. 35:16-19) It is also the city of Boaz who married Ruth, the Moabitess, King David’s great-great grandmother. (Ruth 4:13-22) Jesse, the father of King David and grandson of Boaz and Ruth dwelt in Bethlehem, and Jesse’s son David along with his brothers were also born in Bethlehem, therefore ‘city of David.’ The little town of Bethlehem had a mighty king growing right up in from of them and didn’t know it. There were a few signs developing in his teen years as a well trusted shepherd protecting his father’s sheep from harmful predators. His striking down and killing the Philistines’ giant battle warrior Goliath made him a household name with immediate attention. David, as scripture reminds us, was anointed to be king replacing Saul who had rejected the word of the Lord. David’s actions and his trust in God were beginning to be noticed in his home town and around Israel.

            At times we may feel small and insignificant in a world of bigger than life influential figures all around us. But God uses all of us just the same for His purposes. Your little influence towards those in your community, whether small or large, if in the Lord’s will can mushroom into something great for God. We start small with one person at a time in our little town of influence.

            King David went on to be Israel’s greatest king in that David was a man after God’s own heart. God promised David that he his throne would be established forever. (2 Sam. 7:12-16) One will sit on his throne and rule into the everlasting kingdom. (Is. 9:7) King David was the most famous and influential person to be born in the little town of Bethlehem for centuries-but someone more famous and greater came along. The prophet Micah prophesied, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.” (Micah 5:2 NLT)

To be continued………..