December 17, 2023
Reading: Luke 2:1-7
Focus: Luke 2:4 – So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
Father God, as we look forward to Christmas, help us to see Your Plan that has been in place since before creation. Help us to always be thankful that You were willing to step out of eternity to become man to dwell with us. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Bethlehem, at the time of Jesus’s birth was a little village of about 1,000 people. It is about 5 miles from Jerusalem. Rachel, the favored wife of Jacob died at Bethlehem. Jesus’ ancestress, Ruth the Moabitess, great-grandmother of David, arrived in Bethlehem with her mother-in-law, Naomi. Bethlehem is the town of David’s birth. It was there that Samuel, the prophet, anointed David as future king of Israel. The town lost its significance after King David’s time. And that’s pretty much all the “big” events in Bethlehem until Jesus was born there. But, God had big plans for Bethlehem.
Today, Bethlehem has a population of about 25,000 to 27,000 people. It is now situated in what is called the West Bank, and no longer a part of Israel proper. It is a trade and agricultural center tied to city of Jerusalem about 5 miles north. It is a major pilgrimage and tourist destination. It is also known for mother-of-pearl artifacts and carved olive wood items. Persecution of Christians is alive and well in Bethlehem today.
There is a cave that was “identified” as the birthplace of Jesus. St Justin Martyr was the person who “discovered” it about 200 years after Jesus’ birth. Helena, the mother of first Christian Roman Emperor Constantine, had a church built over the site about 300 years after the birth of Jesus. That church is divided between the Greek Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church and the Armenian Orthodox Church. I can’t say that the location is accurate but there you have it.
Here are a few things to know about Bethlehem.
The name Bethlehem, or Beit Lehem, which means ‘house of bread’. This is not a surprise since the land enjoys a mild climate and plentiful rain. There are, and were, vineyards, orchards and fields that produce very prosperous harvests. It’s not surprising that God would choose the town as His Son’s birthplace. Jesus called Himself “ . . . the bread of life . . .” (John 6:35).
God did not choose Jerusalem as the birthplace of Jesus, the King of Kings. Bethlehem was so small that neither Joshua (Ch 15) nor Nehemiah (Ch 11) listed it in the registry of towns. But God chose a small, out of the way place to have a man born who would change the course of history and eternity. This humble birth place reflects God’s greatness.
The prophet Micah, about 700 years before Jesus said, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2). God used the Romans and their greed to bring Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem before the birth of His Son.
It was near Bethlehem that the youngest son of Jacob, Benjamin, was born to Rachel. Rachel died in childbirth and Jacob buried her near the town. Jeremiah 31:15 states This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” Rachel wept for her children because they were in exile and in desperate need of a deliverer. Jesus, direct descendant of Israel, is that Deliverer.
In the story of Ruth, Elimelek and his wife, Naomi, and their sons left Bethlehem during a famine moving to Moab. While they were there, Elimelek and the sons died. Leaving Naomi with two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah. Naomi heard that God had ended the famine at home, so she decided to go back home to Bethlehem. When she headed home, she begged her daughters-in-law to return their fathers. Oprah left and returned home. Ruth stayed with her. Long story short, Ruth married a farmer, Boaz, and became the great-grandmother of David, son of Jesse. Boaz, after meeting Ruth, became her kinsman redeemer, but that is another story for another time.
As a result, Bethlehem became known as the City of David. It was here that Samuel went to search for a new king of Israel. Saul had sinned and removed himself and his family from the kingship. Again, another story for another time. God directed him to David and he was anointed as the next king of Israel. Prophets often told that another King would rule and reign forever from David’s line. Four hundred years after the last prophecy of that King, God sent Jesus to be born in Bethlehem.
To me, this is the most significant piece of knowledge regarding Bethlehem. The town of Bethlehem was the place where lambs for temple sacrifice were raised. It was not very far from Jerusalem. The lands were fertile and there were many places to shelter the flocks. Generations of shepherds kept flocks around Bethlehem and not just small flocks either. According to Exodus 29:38-46, two lambs were to be sacrificed daily. During Passover, and again, on the Day of Atonement, lambs were sacrificed for all who presented one. Thousands of lambs. So, the sheep industry was very profitable for Bethlehem. David was a shepherd in these Bethlehem pastures. Since both Mary and Joseph were descendants of David, it was required that they go from Nazareth to Bethlehem to register and pay their taxes. Thus, The Lamb of God, was born in Bethlehem, where the sacrificial lambs were raised.
It’s easy to focus on the where rather than the why and the who. Bethlehem is significant because Jesus was born there. But more important, is Calvary, where the Lamb of God sacrificed His life for us. That was the more significant event. The birth of a baby was needed for that man to be crucified 33 years later. Often we get wrapped up in the celebration without focusing on the why of the celebration. Jesus is the reason for the season of Christmas.
What are you focused on?
Father God, Thank You for the birth of the baby that became our Savior, Jesus. Thank You that You looked into the future and saw us, loved us so much that You sent Jesus to die for us. Help us to focus on the Reason for the season. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Food For Thought
- Have you ever given any real thought to the real reason for Christmas? Why or Why not?
- Are you surprised about the sheep industry around Bethlehem at Jesus birth? Why or why not?
- Why do YOU think God chose Bethlehem over Jerusalem?
- Are you surprised that Bethlehem is not a part of Israel today? Why or Why not?
- As a Christian, which is more significant, Christmas or Easter? Why?
