OH LITTLE TOWN OF "BEIT LEHEM" - HOUSE OF BREAD!

Micah 5:2(NKJV): " 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."

A cold dark, starry, starry night in the little sleepy village of Bethlehem was a night just like any other.....or was it? Bethlehem literally means "House of Bread" (from the Hebrew "Beit Lehem"). The great King of the Bible and History - David, was born here, as was his father Jesse, from the Line of Abraham. By the way, isn't it amazing that the Bread of Life (Christ) was born in the "House of Bread"!

Once in Royal David City, stood a lowly cattle shed, a manger if you will. Rachel, the wife of Jacob (Israel) is buried at the entrance to the gate of the little town. The fields of Boaz, from the book of Ruth are in this area. It is so like God, to send His Only One - Yeshua the Maschiah (Jesus the Messiah) to be born in a land with such a rich, yet humble history. 

He had planned it long, long ago.

The world of the Jews at the time were looking for a political deliverer, just like most today who can only see and exist in the temporal and the flesh. They missed the importance of the Creator "Whose goings-forth are from old"...and Who has always existed. This is Who was born in this little town, on Christmas day.

It matters not what day of the Hebrew or Julian calendar He was born. This day which was chosen to celebrate His Birth can be used to shout His Name from the mountaintop. From the day after Thanksgiving to December 25, we have four weeks when the world has its eyes and, without being totally conscious of it, hearts tuned in to what Christians celebrate.

So as we go about our Christmas programs, carols, outreach and even shopping etc...let us NOT waste this privilege to share the Hope, Love, Peace, Joy and Encouragement of the Ancient of Days, born cold and humble in a shed of straw not too far from where poor, unloved and rugged shepherds - as insignificant as you and I - were tending sheep that night almost 2000 years ago!

Merry Christmas to one and all, in Jesus Name, Amen.