One of the ways we know that Jesus was the promised Savior is because of all the prophecies he fulfilled. And one of those prophecies concerns the little town of Bethlehem. You know the song, don’t you? “O Little Town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie…” You’ll probably sing it yourself a few times this month. If it hadn’t have been for Jesus being born in Bethlehem, I doubt any of us would know much about the town of Bethlehem today. However, it does appears in several Bible stories.
The beautiful love story Ruth and Boaz takes place in Bethlehem during the harvest time. And since David was the great grandson of Ruth and Boaz, it is no surprise that the first story in the Bible about David takes place in Bethlehem, when the old prophet Samuel anoints him to be the next king. (1 Samuel 16:1-13) There is also the very exciting account of three of David’s mighty soldiers who break through the enemy ranks to get some water from the well in Bethlehem and bring it back as a special gift for David while he is in hiding. (2 Samuel 23:13-17)
But this is a relatively small town. Not exactly a bustling, beautiful city like Jerusalem. In fact, many years later, when the prophet Micah refers to Bethlehem, he says it is a town that is “little among the thousands of Judah”. Yet one of the most important events in history is going to take place in this little town. Listen to what the prophet says in Micah 5:2, “But you, Bethlehem Ephratah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
This little town is going to be the birthplace of a very special king! And we will find over and over again in the Christmas story and in many other stories throughout the Bible, that God loves to use small thing, little things, unimportant things and people. Why? Because then He gets the glory. Because we know we can’t boast that the big thing that was accomplished is all from our doing. It had to be God who accomplished it!
Do you feel little, sometimes? Too little, too poor, too unsophisticated for God to use? Take heart! God uses little things for great good. He has a plan for your life, too!
So how about singing “O Little Town of Bethlehem” today. And while you are singing it, remember how God can use even little things!
O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight
For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And Peace to men on earth
How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may his His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still,
The dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born to us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel.
