The Little Town of Bethlehem

Read Micah 5:2-5

Bethlehem was an insignificant village of Judah, very undistinguished. Eugene Peterson calls it "the runt of the litter" (Micah 5:2, The Message). There was nothing remarkable about this little village.

And yet God chose this, the most ordinary of places, for one of the most extraordinary events: the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. God delights in using the commonplace to accomplish His uncommon purposes. And announcing little Bethlehem as the birthplace of the King was just the beginning.

Micah's prophecy tells us that the coming King will enter in the most common of ways. He will be a "shepherd," the most ordinary of men. He won't come with any fanfare and he won't even be here for himself. He will reign with strength and majesty in the name of the Lord. The marks of his reign will be security, safety, and peace. He will come to fight for God's people and save them.

We know this Savior to be Jesus Christ and we walk in the confidence that all of this is true. We know he was born in Bethlehem only to die for our sins and be raised again. We also know that he is coming again.

May we experience the same anticipation Micah's readers had upon receiving this prophecy so long ago. As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, let us keep our eyes, ears and hearts open in expectation of seeing him in the most unlikely places. And may we look forward in holy expectation for His return!

"Remember who you are. We are not commoners, but heirs waiting for our King's coming - preparing for His coming!" - Unknown

{Side Note: Bethlehem = "house of bread" in Hebrew. How's that for holy imagery?!}