1. The Name and Location of Bethlehem
Bethlehem means "House of Bread" in Hebrew. It is also called Ephrathah, meaning "fruitful," or Bethlehem Ephrathah to distinguish it from another Bethlehem in Zebulun. The town is located in the hill country of Judea, approximately six miles south of Jerusalem, at an elevation of about 2,500 feet. The surrounding countryside is fertile, with fields of grain and olive groves. It is here that Ruth gleaned in the fields of Boaz. Bethlehem was a small, insignificant village, but God chose it for the greatest event in human history.
2. Bethlehem in the Old Testament: The Home of David
Bethlehem is first mentioned in Genesis as the place where Rachel died and was buried while giving birth to Benjamin. It later became known as the city of Jesse and his son David. The Lord sent Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint a new king over Israel. Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but the Lord rejected them. Samuel asked, "Are there your sons here?" Jesse sent for David, who was keeping the sheep. The Lord said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is the one." Bethlehem was the home of the shepherd boy who became the king of Israel.
3. The Prophecy of Micah: Bethlehem as the Birthplace of the Messiah
Micah prophesied, "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." Bethlehem was small and insignificant. It was not a capital city or a center of power. Yet God chose it for the birth of the Messiah. The prophecy also declares the eternal nature of the Ruler: His goings forth are from everlasting. This points to the pre-existence of Christ, who is the eternal Son of God.
4. The Journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem
Caesar Augustus issued a decree that all the world should be registered. Joseph, being of the house and lineage of David, went up from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the city of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. The journey was approximately seventy miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Mary was great with child. The journey was difficult, but it fulfilled the prophecy. God used a pagan emperor to bring His Son to the appointed birthplace.
5. The Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem
While Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem, the days were completed for her to be delivered. She brought forth her firstborn Son, wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. The Son of God, the King of kings, was born in a stable and laid in a feeding trough. This is the humility of the incarnation. The Creator of the universe entered His creation not in a palace but in a cave, not in silk but in swaddling cloths, not in a cradle but in a manger.
6. The Shepherds and the Angels in the Fields of Bethlehem
In the same region, there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. An angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God. The shepherds went to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
7. The Magi and the Star of Bethlehem
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." Herod sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may also come and worship Him." The star went before them until it stood over where the young Child was. They rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. They fell down and worshiped Him, presenting gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream, they departed for their own country another way.
8. The Slaughter of the Innocents by Herod
Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry. He sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under. This fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah: "A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." Bethlehem, the place of joy, also became a place of sorrow. The first martyrs for Christ died there.
9. Bethlehem in the New Testament and the Identity of Jesus
The Gospel writers repeatedly emphasize that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Matthew records it to show the fulfillment of Micah's prophecy. Luke records the census and the journey to Bethlehem. John records that some doubted Jesus because they thought He was from Galilee, but they did not know He was born in Bethlehem. In the book of Revelation, Jesus is called the "Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David." Bethlehem, the city of David, connects Jesus to the Davidic covenant and the promise of an eternal throne.
10. The Spiritual Significance of Bethlehem for Believers
Bethlehem teaches that God chooses the small and the humble. He does not look at size, power, or prestige. He chose a small village for the birth of His Son. He chose shepherds to be the first witnesses. He chose a manger for a cradle. Believers should not despise small beginnings. God often works through the weak, the lowly, and the despised. Bethlehem also teaches that God is faithful to His promises. He promised a Ruler from Bethlehem, and He delivered. He has promised a Savior, and Jesus is that Savior. Let every believer trust in the God who keeps His word.
Conclusion
Bethlehem, the City of David, is the birthplace of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah. Though it was small and insignificant, God chose it for the greatest event in history. The prophecies of Micah were fulfilled. The shepherds worshiped. The magi came. Herod raged. But the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Let every believer rejoice that God chose the humble place, the humble birth, and the humble manger to bring salvation to the world.