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Why Bethlehem?

Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by

This year has gone so quickly, and it is hard to believe we are already preparing for another Christmas! For me, the best part of all the celebrations around Christmas is singing Christmas Carols. I just love the Christmas Carols! There is even one concerning Bethlehem, but have you ever asked yourself why Bethlehem? Why was it important for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem?  Bethlehem played host to an event that the world hardly noticed, yet it changed the destiny of every person on the earth. As Ralph W. Sockman said:

“The hinge of history is on the door of a Bethlehem stable.”

Bethlehem means House of Bread

Beth means house and lehem means of bread.  Bread held great importance in Bible times. It was a staple food and for many of the folk, provided the nourishment necessary for survival. It was also used in Temple worship and played an important role in Jewish Passover celebrations. The Jews were to eat unleavened bread during the Passover feast and then for seven days following as a celebration of the exodus from Egypt. When the Jews were wandering in the desert for 40 years, God rained down “bread from heaven” (manna) to sustain the nation (Exodus 16:4).

So Jesus was born in the House of Bread and halfway through His ministry, He makes a bold statement “I am the Bread of Life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6v35). By equating Himself with bread, Jesus is saying He is essential for life – not physical life, but eternal life.

God sent Jesus, the Bread of Life, birthed in the House of Bread, to give us eternal life.

Bethlehem fulfils a Promise

Throughout Scripture, God promised to send Jesus, the Bread of Life. In His dealings with His people as He led them in a Passover Meal and set them free from Egypt and revealed their Redeemer in Rahab and the scarlet cord in the window and through Ruth and Boaz, we see a continuous thread of God’s Promise for the Bread of Life to appear and for insignificant Bethlehem to play a part.   

They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Matthew 2:5,6 ESV

One of the most fascinating facts about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is how it fulfilled a 700-year-old prophecy! The prophet Micah prophesied: But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. (Micah 5:2) 

Instead of choosing the well-known city of Jerusalem as the birthplace of the Son of God, God selected a town so small that it wasn’t even listed in the registry of towns allotted to the Israelites in Joshua 15.

The deepest meaning of the smallness and insignificance of Bethlehem is that God does not bless us or invite us to partner with Him in His purposes based on our greatness or our worthiness or our achievement. He chooses each one of us freely, to reveal His own glory and mercy, not the glory of our distinctions.

The Legacy of Bethlehem

So many significant events happened in Bethlehem: Rachel, Jacob’s wife, was buried in Bethlehem. Ruth, together with Naomi, left Moab during a famine and went to Bethlehem where she met and married Boaz. David was born in Bethlehem and was anointed King by Samuel in Bethlehem. All three of these names are mentioned in the family tree of Jesus.

Is it no wonder Jesus was born in Bethlehem?   

The Character of God Revealed in Bethlehem

When we consider Bethlehem and how from this small, forgotten town comes an unforgettable event that changes the destiny of mankind, we cannot help but see into the very character of God.

  1. In Bethlehem the “House of Bread” we see Him as our Provider. Not only does He provide Eternal Life, but He also provides the spiritual bread we need to sustain us as we go about our daily pursuits as well as providing for our material needs.

Are you struggling to trust God to provide and are burning yourself out trying to make things happen yourself?      

Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

  • In Bethlehem, we see a God who is Faithful to fulfil His Promises. He is a Promise Keeper!

Just as we see a messianic promise being fulfilled with Jesus being born in Bethlehem, we can trust God who is the same God today, to fulfil the promises He has over our lives.

Are you struggling with promises that appear unfulfilled resulting in doubt and unbelief that they will ever happen? Yes, there is our responsibility and obedience in the fulfilment of some of the promises of God in our lives, but our heart must remain convinced that God is a Promise Keeper and fulfils His promises!  

Psalm 145:13 NIV Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.

  • In Bethlehem, we see a God who Sees us. He chooses the insignificant to reveal His purpose.

This town was not well known, it was small and insignificant, yet was fruitful and chosen to birth the Messiah.  

Are you struggling to believe God can partner with you in His plans and purposes? That He sees you and has chosen you to reveal His glory through and that you are fully equipped in Jesus to do what He has planned for you, to operate in the gifts in He has given you, and to be found worthy to carry and release the heart of God for His people?

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (See also 1Corinthians 1:26-29)

  • In Bethlehem, we see a God who is a Generational God. He is a God of Legacy.

We are each living in a legacy left for us by the generations before us. Legacy involves living intentionally and aiming to build into the next generation for their success.  It involves far more than handing down a monetary inheritance or a property of land or houses or passing on a good family name.

A lasting legacy, one that continues for eternity, is a belief in Jesus Christ. Bethlehem had a legacy that birthed Jesus.

Are you leaving a Godly Legacy for your children? Are you cultivating their belief in Jesus and a hunger for His Word? Are you building into the next generation so that they too can trust God and walk in His plans for their lives?

Psalm 145:4 One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. (Psalm 78v6)

Jesus was born in Bethlehem but is He born in me?

Maureen Le Roux