December 2 - Born in Bethlehem

"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 from of old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2 NKJV)

Seven hundred years before Jesus was born, the prophet Micah predicted that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. This tiny, insignificant town - perhaps just a couple hundred residents at the time of Christ - became the birthplace of the King of kings.

God's sovereign Hand was behind the birth of Christ, taking place in Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary were living in Nazareth, but God had to get these two Nazarenes to Bethlehem in a short window of time. So what does He do? Caesar Augustus gets this idea - we need more taxes, and to get that, we need a census.

Luke 2:1–5 (NKJV)
1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

While Caesar thinks it's his idea, God is actually at work. Proverbs 21:1 says, "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord like the rivers of water. He turns it wherever he wishes." The king may think he's making a decision on his own, but God is sovereignly working in the affairs of men to accomplish His ultimate purposes.

Bethlehem means "house of bread," and Jesus would say in John 6:35, "I am the bread of life. He that comes to me shall never hunger." Bethlehem Ephrathah refers to the fruitful vines there. Both bread and juice - the elements Jesus would use in communion to represent His broken body and shed blood. He was born in Bethlehem (bread) Ephrathah (juice/ fruitful vine), which symbolically pointed to His mission to save the world from their sins. Our God is always at work to accomplish His purposes in the world.

Reflection Question: How does God's faithfulness in keeping His promises about Christ's birth encourage your faith in His promises to you?

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for fulfilling every promise You made about the coming of Christ. Your faithfulness in bringing Jesus to Bethlehem exactly as prophesied gives me confidence that You will keep all Your promises to me as well. Help me trust Your Word completely, even when I cannot see how You will work things out. In Jesus' Name, amen.