December 7, 2021 - Micah 5:2

O Little Town of Bethlehem is a beloved, old hymn that is sung at this special time of year. It is written by Phillip Brooks after being in Israel one Christmas Eve and beholding the sleepy little town while standing out in the fields. His desire was to give a simple yet meaningful message to the children in his church.

The prophet Micah may not have understood the prophecy that he spoke many years prior to Christ coming to earth. Bethlehem is a town in Palestine, a place of historical importance. Located on a commanding limestone ridge, the town overlooks the main highway from Hebron to Egypt. It was the location near which Jacob buried his wife Rachel (Genesis 35:19; 48:7). Bethlehem, "house of bread", may have been a small, relatively unknown village, but it was to fulfill its name and supply spiritual nourishment through the word of God, ensuring everlasting life.

David was born and was anointed king for Israel by Samuel (1 Samuel16:1) in Bethlehem. His leadership allowed the nation to become the powerful empire that the Lord promised Israel. David, the recognized military and economic leader of Israel however is best known for his music and writing of poetry which continues to draw people to the Lord. His psalms are still a source of spiritual nourishment for believers of every age.

Jesus Christ was prophetically born in Bethlehem! It was precisely announced this little town shall bring forth a Ruler to Israel and the world. Jesus, in His ministry, revealed Himself as the "Bread of Life" (John 6: 46-51). His coming to earth was to bring to mankind the spiritual food necessary to have eternal life. Jesus instructed those eating the natural bread, would hunger again but if they would eat of the bread which endures to everlasting life, they would never hunger. The light from the word of God shone upon Bethlehem and revealed for all the world to see that the Sovereign Ruler had risen from a humble origin.

Have you searched carefully for this One who offers you "bread" so that you may hunger no more? The third verse of O Little Town of Bethlehem is "How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts, the blessing of His heaven, No ear may hear His coming, But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in."

Begin today thanking God for the promise of everlasting life given from the Bread of Life!