O Little Town of Bethlehem

O Little Town of Bethlehem

(“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)

Each year we are reminded that something extraordinary took place in a small Jewish village over 2000 years ago. Though it is fairly evident that Jesus was likely born in the spring, our winter date for the celebration has taken hold over time, and here we are; twinkly lights, the crunch of snow, bundled up carolers and all.

What we may not know is that God announced the very place in which the Messiah would be born. Likely written about 700 years before Christ, the prophet Micah zooms in like GPS coordinates to little Bethlehem Ephrathah. It would similar to announcing that several hundred years from now, the ruler of all will be born in Skamokawa, WA. (For you non-Washingtonians, that is a tiny village across the Columbia River from the Oregon border.)

And, it is not people looking back after Jesus was born, trying to find scriptures that fit. Even King Herod, reigning at the time of Jesus’ birth, was told by his priests that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. So non-descript is the place that John doesn’t even mention Bethlehem, but says that Jesus was from Nazareth in Galilee. Though some see this as a contradiction, it is nothing close to that. For instance, I was born in Andrews, TX, but having only spent two years there, I often say I am “from” Texas, or even more likely, from California where I lived the bulk of my childhood and teens.

Why would God, given every place on the globe to choose for His Messiah’s birth, have him born in little unassuming Bethlehem. First, it had significance to the Hebrew people. It was, after all, the birthplace of King David, the greatest king of their nation. It was through David’s lineage that the promised Messiah was to come.

The name of Bethlehem also speaks much about God’s purpose. Translated from Hebrew it means, “House of Bread”. It is a reminder that Jesus, the Bread of Heaven, is the One who sustains us, as we trust in Him. We have trudged the hard roads of gaining strength through practicing religion. We have beaten ourselves up for stumbling on every attempt to better ourselves. But, poor, rich, lowly and prosperous all come to the House of Bread together. It is here that, through the grace provided by Christ Himself, we are inwardly nourished through trust in Him alone.

But we also have the word “Ephrathah”, the old name of the place which the Jews retained. It was a way to set it apart from the other possible locations. “Ephrathah” means “place of fruitfulness”. How fitting that our Savior was born in the place of fruitfulness, for all of our fruitfulness, all of our abundance, is tied intimately in Him who provides everything from His store of riches in glory. Jesus Himself said, “Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5b.

Next we are told that Bethlehem is only a “small village”; literally “little among the thousands of Judah.” What a sweet image God gives for the nature of our Savior. It is He who made Himself small. As Paul puts it, He made Himself of “no account”! This reveals to us the nature and character of God Himself, and of His plans. If the birth of Jesus in such humble circumstances speaks anything to us, it should tell us how willing God is to meet us at human level.

This is where the “ruler of Israel” whose “origins are from the distant past” was to be born. When presidents hold important press conferences it is on the front steps of the White House. When Steve Jobs made new product announcements, he staged it carefully, making sure to get as much media notice as possible. Yet, when God chose to send, once in all time, Himself to be born within our midst, He did it quietly in a off the beaten path village.

This is not how rulers mark their reign. This is not how God show his power. But once more God turns our ideas completely on their head. The Messiah is born helpless. The ruler of Israel is birthed in a feeding trough in tiny Bethlehem. He who is from everlasting to everlasting chose meekness instead of might to demonstrate the reign of the Kingdom of God.

How will we respond? Will we come to Him whose purpose was to set us free from ourselves, to provide true abundance to our spirits, and transform us from seekers of power to peacemakers for His kingdom? May this Christmas remind us of the angels’ words: “Praise God in the highest heaven! Peace on earth and loving mercy towards all people.” Luke 2:14