The location was set years before Jesus was even born. How cool is that! Bethlehem was the chosen spot for the miraculous birth. Micah’s prophecy reads almost like a riddle. There are so many great images of Jesus here. Our Advent preparations are winding down as our Christmas celebrations soon begin.
God chose Bethlehem, and then he orchestrated the events that led to Jesus’ humble birth. Even the size of this town is described as a “small village.” If you’ve never lived in a small town, you can’t appreciate the closeness and dedication of the people. Bethlehem would have had a special atmosphere like that.
But other Bible texts remind us that that small, cozy little village was overflowing with people the night Jesus was born. This future ruler of Israel would have been overlooked in the hustle and bustle. God’s theme for how he entered the world was to be humble indeed. We can get lost in our own busyness, can’t we?
A woman giving birth was the sign they were waiting for. For so long, the people of Israel had been oppressed by one nation or another. It had to be exhausting to be under the rule of controlling leaders who had no idea about your faith in God. Much of the Israelite culture was directed by the laws God had given to Moses. That was God’s communication with them.
God’s communication now is through the prophets of old and any other messages he gets through to us. The problem with life these days is that there is so much messaging hitting our brains every second. The noise in our heads can be unbearable, and yet we push through because that’s what’s expected when we have families, jobs, and responsibilities. God wants a relationship with Him to be our top priority. That was true for the Israelites, too.
From Bethlehem, their leader would rise up to defeat their foes, and they would live in peace or “undisturbed,” as the text says. What a positive message to contemplate and trust! This leader would be guided by the strength of the LORD himself. For those who had endured so much hardship, these words would have been like a breath of fresh air.
Jesus is definitely our source of peace. I don’t know what people do when they don’t have Jesus and the peace he brings. The walls can be caving in around me, and I take a deep breath, imagine the Spirit of God filling my lungs, and then let out all the tension, the worry, and the fear in my exhale. Sometimes it takes more than a handful of breaths, depending on the day!
O Bethlehem, thank you. Thank you for your part in bringing my Savior Jesus into this world. I’m not sure I’ll ever see Bethlehem in person, but that’s okay. From what I understand, it’s no longer the tiny little village set in the middle of nowhere with a great star shining bright like I picture from all the images I’ve seen over the years.
Take time today to sit in silence for a moment. Shut out the noise around you the best you can. A moment may be all you get to treasure the miracle of Jesus’ birth, when God came to begin his journey to rescue you.
Let’s pray. I don’t want to miss any opportunity to worship and adore you, King Jesus. I cherish your humble beginnings and how it was foretold. I long for the day when you return and receive the honor you are due. Help me be ready. Use me to make a difference in this world to help others stay awake and be aware. I love you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
