O Little Town Of Bethlehem

O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM

Around the same time as the prophet Isaiah, another prophet by the name of Micah told of the coming birth of the ruler of Israel and where He would be born.

Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Micah used the name Bethlehem Ephratah probably to distinguish it from Bethlehem in Zebulun. It was a small town with a big name. Bethlehem means house of bread and Ephratah means fruitfulness. I think it not a coincidence that Jesus said of himself that He was the bread of life.

John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

John 6:48 I am that bread of life.

Also notice that Micah said He would be ruler of Israel, but any man could have filled that part, except Micah went on to say that his goings were from old and from everlasting. No man except Jesus could fill that role.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem some 700 years after Micah spoke these words. Micah tell us that Bethlehem was a small place, but that is where the Lord was born, in a humble town, in a lowly stable. Not as the world would have planned it out had it had its way.

Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Here in Bethlehem we have a virgin giving birth to God’s only begotten Son and his name was Jesus, Immanuel or Emmanuel. All as was prophesied 700 years before. We celebrate His birth this time of year and are so thankful for His coming to earth to seek and save that which was lost. Let us not be guilty of getting caught up in all the glitz, gifts and the like and forget the REASON FOR THE SEASON his name is JESUS.

HAVE A GREAT DAY