-December 4, 2023-
Good morning beloved, happy Monday,
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are of old, from everlasting.”
(Micah 5:2).
There are actually two different cities in Israel named Bethlehem. One is located in Zebulun and the other in Judah. Most people are only familiar with the latter as the birthplace of Jesus. It overshadowed the other Bethlehem. The other Bethlehem was located in Galilee. The tenth judge Ibzan and his large family were born there.
This little town in Judah was also the birthplace of King David, as well as Boaz the husband of Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi. Bethlehem is still the center of attention with pilgrims traveling there to see the birthplace of Jesus. There is a famous church there called the church of the Nativity. Bethlehem is so significant that there are eighteen cities in the U.S. by this name.
It shows that little places can produce big things and great people. The people make the place, not the other way around. God chose this little town hundreds of years before Jesus was born, in fact, the prophet Micah says it was “of old, from everlasting.” Jesus is everlasting God.
One of the most wonderful Christmas hymns is, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” written by Phillips Brooks. He wrote, “O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by; Yet in thy 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; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel! Amen.” We just sang this beautiful song yesterday at our communion service.
Let us rejoice that our Savior was born in exactly the place that God chose in Bethlehem; not in a palace but in a manger, a feeding troth; not attended by kings and dignitaries, but by lowly shepherds. May we bow before Him, come and adore Him. Have a blessed day and Christmas season. Stay safe and healthy.
As the hymn writer said, “Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing; Come adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King.”
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 