O Little Town of Bethlehem
“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available to them.” -Luke 2:4-6
O Little Town of Bethlehem, written by Lewis Redner & Philips Brooks
“Oh 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”
I had the immense blessing of visiting Bethlehem once. I remember being surprised as I walked the streets, because nothing about the town felt “special,” or even remotely significant. Even in modern day it was a simple little nondescript town. You’d never guess it was where the Savior of the world made His debut. The people of Bethlehem certainly had no idea that what happened that night would put them on the map for all time. In fact, they didn’t know what happened, period. While they were all asleep, the Son of God was brought forth right under their noses. Bethlehem, the city that made no room for its King; the city that slept through the miracle of Jesus’ birth. Let’s not make the same mistake. Let’s not miss it, that everlasting light shining bright in the dark.
God chose a common little stable in an unremarkable little town to bring hope to the world, and He did it in front of a humble carpenter, his young bride, and a few ordinary shepherds. Why did He choose there, of all places? Why did He choose them, of all people? Perhaps to show us, from the very first moment, Jesus came to serve, not to rule. He didn’t come with pomp and circumstance. He drew hardly any attention at all. He arrived in humility to show us what true love looks like. God stepped down from His throne and became a man to be with us; a tremendous act of love and humility if there ever was one. Perhaps He only announced Himself to that little ragtag group of people because only they had room in their hearts for Him. The door to every inn had been closed to His arrival. Everyone else in town slept. Would we have done the same?
Study & Reflection: Read Luke 2:1-21 and Matthew 1:18-24. Meditate for a while on the way Jesus arrived, the modest way in which He began His life. What do His humble beginnings mean for you? How does this act of love change the way you see Christmas?
Prayer: What has caused you to miss out on this Christmas season? What do you need to open your eyes to and see with fresh eyes, or maybe even for the first time? Ask God to open your heart to the miracle of His birth. Seek forgiveness for the ways in which you’ve missed it. Thank Him for choosing Bethlehem. Thank Him for choosing it for you.