Why Bethlehem?

Larry Mancini

 

“So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another,

‘Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass,

which the Lord has made known to us.’”

 (Luke 2.15 NKJV)

 

Bethlehem means "house of bread." How fitting for Jesus, the Bread of Heaven, to be born there. But there is more. It was, as the hymn so aptly says, “a little town.” It was the smallest town in Judah. Why wasn't Jesus born in Jerusalem? Again the hymn says it best, "Where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in." In the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem there is a small entrance. You must bend down to get into the place where tradition says Jesus was born. That's why angels announced the news to shepherds and that is why Jesus was born in Bethlehem. That is why Jesus grew up in Nazareth. And that is why Jesus said that in order to get into his kingdom we must become like little children. God is not impressed with great human achievements. He draws near to the humble and to those who bow at his throne. The rich and powerful can come to Jesus if they bow the knee to the one who has the only eternal kingdom in heaven and earth. Jesus came to this world in Bethlehem. Those who come to him must follow in a similar way by humbling their hearts and bow before him.

 

Lord, the world and sometimes even your church gets caught up in power games. Forgive me

for thinking of myself more highly then I should at times. I need to come to the manger

 and see what true humility is. You left heaven but were left out of the inn that night.

You were born in Bethlehem, the City of David. David was a man after your own heart.

By your grace and mercy, may I be one too! Amen.