Siblings
How familiar are you with the rituals of Christmas? No, I’m not speaking about the material trappings we’ve added. Rather, I’m referring to the ritual of reenacting the prophecies from the biblical stories. These were often woven along with carols, prayers, and perhaps some drama, to create a beautiful tapestry of remembering.
If you’ve been drawn into that drama through the years, you might remember Today’s Holy Nougat. It is one of the well known prophesies revisited in the reenactment, though we might not remember the source. It confirms that God’s plan included the place where Y’shua would be born.
Micah 5:2 CEB
[2] As for you, Bethlehem of Ephrathah, though you are the least significant of Judah’s forces, one who is to be a ruler in Israel on my behalf will come out from you. His origin is from remote times, from ancient days.
Bethlehem of Ephrathah: The Humble Holy City
We’re once again drawn to prophecy that confirms Y’shua as David’s direct descendant. The place of His birth. It’s David’s hometown. It’s not the most famous city associated with David – that would be Jerusalem – but we’re reminded that redemption occurs at the root, not at the fruit.
At the time of his birth, David was not an important historical figure. Even though he was born during Saul’s reign, he was only related to Saul in the sense that they shared the three common ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moreover, as the eighth son, David was far from being the potential heir to the throne. But God had other plans.
In terms of historicity, we know that Bethlehem was fertile territory on the basis of David’s job as shepherd and from its name: the House of Bread. Beyond that, it was just another town in Israel. During the Exile, Bethlehem gained a bit of importance. It offered refuge for some of the returnees, along with hope that one day, the house of Israel-Judah would be restored. Despite that, it wasn’t a famous city.
Self-Check
How often have we labeled people or places as negligible, failing to realise their true worth and potential?
Digging Deeper
Bethlehem was a lot like Nine Miles, St Ann. It was relatively unknown to many even after the son of the town had risen to global prominence. Most references to Bob Marley’s home were about Trench Town, not his hometown. The City of David was not as famous as David’s capital city, Jerusalem. However, after Bob’s death, the town gained prominence. So it is with Bethlehem, Judah. Though David’s death did nothing to Bethlehem’s fame, Jesus’ did. In Bethlehem was the seed for humanity’s redemption. That’s what the prophet was referring to.
When we see Christ as both the redemption and reenactment of the creation narrative, we’ll find that Bethlehem, in its humble stature, offered a clearer slate on which God’s plan would be written. No, this new creation story didn’t carry the ‘Let there be’ formula, replete with God ideating and speaking into being. Instead, this creation story opens doors to eternal life when we partake of the Living Bread born to the House of Bread.
Siblings, God’s plans are not accidental. When we mess up, God has already set forth our redemption through Jesus Christ. No matter our origins, no matter our current status, in Bethlehem city we find the Saviour who offers us our new lease on life.
Point to Ponder
What does Christ’s birth in Bethlehem signify for us?
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May all we seek be found in Christ
