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O little Bethlehem…
O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie…
So goes the famous popular Christmas carol sung in many Churches during the Christmas time heralding the birth of
the Savior. For those with a flair for history, this touching hymn was penned by Rector Phillips Brooks (1835-1903)
of Philadelphia, in 1868, following a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He was inspired by the view of Bethlehem from the
hills of Palestine especially at night time hence the lyrics of O Little Town of Bethlehem. His church organist Lewis
Redner (1831-1908) wrote the melody for the Sunday school children's choir.
Is there something significantly “BIG” about “little” Bethlehem? VERY MUCH! Consider
this befuddling (to those who are familiar with the history of nation of Israel) prophetical verse which affirms this truth…
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah.Yet a ruler of
Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.”-
Micah 5:2 (NLV)
In order, we take a 360 degree view about little “BIG” Bethlehem, let’s consider the
- Personality
- Personal and
- Prophetical significance
of the afore-referred, I repeat, mystifying Scripture portion. Firstly
Personality Significance…
This verse acquires a ring of intrigue, when you consider the fact that
King David-the greatest of all Jewish Kings- was already born in Bethlehem
(Ruth 2:1, 4:13-17/
I Samuel 16)
nearly 300 years BEFORE Micah of Moresheth (around 715 BC) called this historic village (at that time)
occupying a significant place in Israel’s history as an INSIGNIFICANT, LITTLE ONE.
Is there any doubting David’s
unique place in both the historical as well as the spiritual realm of the Nation of Israel? Was not David a benchmark
for other Judean Kings, who followed him
(II Chronicles 17:3/
28:1/
34:2) in the matters of obedience to the Almighty?
So how in the name of logic, could Scripture mention Bethlehem as only “a small village” when it actually could “boast”
of being a birthplace of such a spiritual and a historical giant like David? It ought to have been at par with Jerusalem
(from where the Judean Kings, including David ruled) in terms of both spiritual and historical importance.
For an answer welcome to the Spiritual laws of relativity!!!
The greatest King of Israel pales in comparison with the ETERNAL KING OF KINGS, who was going to be born in Bethlehem. Period.
This Judean village would be “small” in the Omniscient One’s sight, only till “GREATEST OF EM’ ALL” arrived. It is the Savior’s
birth in Bethlehem, which would enhance its stature in the Heavenly sphere AND NOT ANYTHING ELSE..
Now Christian, are you taking pride in only your special, godly heritage? Good as it is to have noble forefathers of
evangelical or pastoral calling, be more proud of the fact that Savior was “born” in your heart, the day you accepted Him,
as your Savior. Your status in God’s sight is not based on the great “David-like” grandparents of yours who preceded you
but whether Christ has come into your life or not!!! For that’s all matters in the eyes of the Almighty, who set the ball
of “Redemption plan” rolling on the First Christmas.
Personal significance…
Say Christian, are you an insignificant “little Bethlehem” in your neighborhood? Not many heads turn, when you walk by, right?
Take heart, the moment Christ was “born” in your heart, you became a precious jewel in the Creator’s treasure house.
Speaking of riches and treasures’ (taken literally also) is not Bethlehem filling the coffers of Israel today, by generating handsome foreign tourism revenue?
Raise your hands, those who have been to a museum…where items of Royal patronage are preserved? What articles’
do you see normally displayed there…permit me to add here…from a distance of about 6 feet
(they are invaluable, hence none can come near)? A watch, a pen, a turban? Are they not items of common usage?
What then is so special about them that they are priceless? Answer is as simple as it is profound.
THEY BELONG TO A KING!!! Ditto with a Christian…
(Jeremiah 9:23/
I Cor 3:16),
he/she belongs to the King. Nothing more, nothing less!
Prophetical Significance…
Why did the Messiah make a “touchdown” in Bethlehem in his “Operation salvation”? For those spiritually starving for
salvation, where else, could the ‘Bread of life’
(John 6:58)
which gives eternal life be born other than the place
known as ‘Bread’-Bethlehem in Jewish language means ‘Bread’. Prophecy, as one Bible scholar correctly said
“is nothing but History written in advance”.
Ever wondered why the OT Scriptures abound with Messianic Prophecies? ON HIS ONE SOLITARY LIFE, HINGED THE ENTIRE SALVATION OF MANKIND!
Lest the rationalists’ attribute the virgin birth
(Isaiah 7:14), place of his birth
(Micah 5:2), atoning death on the cross
(Psalm 22:16/
Isaiah 53), resurrection
(Psalm 16:10-11,
Acts 2:28) and his victorious ascension
(Psalm 68:18/
Eph 4:18)
to a sheer accident or coincidence, the Heavenly Father in infinite wisdom had everything written down in “black and white”,
several centuries before those landmark events even occurred. Let me illustrate…
Last Christmas, the womenfolk of our Church went to a reasonably distant Departmental store to buy gifts for the
widows/orphans/Sunday school children of our Church. When, they came back it dawned on one Sister (in faith)
that she had forgotten her purse containing many valuables in the parking lot of a huge, busy commercial complex.
Praying profusely, the entire “Purchase committee” rushed back to that hustling, bustling area after full one hour
(traffic snarls you see) where a unguarded purse has as much chance of remaining unpicked as an ice-cube would have
of not melting in a fiery furnace. Hallelujah, they found it safe and secure! Now if I were to share this thrilling
account with a rationalist giving all glory to the prayer-answering God, (you guessed it right), he would attribute this
“miraculous recovery” to sheer “coincidence or luck”. But ponder for a moment, if this entire account had been foretold
and documented in a book, say 20 years ago, would he still attribute this true story to a mere coincidence.
He would have no other option but to accept it as an Divine act! Ditto the same, with several of the Messianic
prophecies, including the one about the place of his birth. Bravo Bethlehem…
Yet another significance of fulfillment of prophecies is that it makes us take the remaining unfulfilled prophecies of God,
specifically related to Christ’s II Coming… seriously. Even in the human realm, if we have a friend who time and again
sticks to his word, won’t we take his other promises’ seriously because of his spotless track record of keeping up his word,
always? Similarly, if THE WORD (yet another glorious name of our Lord-
John 1:1) has time and again, kept up His word,
won’t He keep His word regarding His II Coming too? Amongst others, what are the TWO DISTINCT SIGNS of recent times that
trumpet the truth about the LAST TRUMPET CALL signaling the Church rapture
(I Cor 15:52/
1 Thess 4:16)? Consider this verse…
“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day.” –
Matt 24:37. WHAT TWO EVILS CONSPICUOUSLY MARKED NOAH’S TIME?
VIOLENCE AND CORRUPTION, FOR YOU LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
(Genesis 6:12-13)! Do I need to furnish proof to substantiate these
plain facts? Does not media overflow with accounts of terror strikes (now there are female suicide bombers also),
feudal killings in real and reel life (minus a smoking gun or a bloody knife the macho-image of any cine hero in
a poster is said to be incomplete) and scams?
Some irrefutable proofs here…
Sky-rocketing violence everywhere…tell-tale signs
It is “NEWS” nowadays only, if there is no scam in 24 hours!!!
So will the lowly Bethlehem Babe return SOON as a righteous King to set right all the wrongs…bringing order,
where is disorder, peace where peace has gone to pieces, morality where there is immorality, hope where there is despair,
joy where there is sorrow? You can take Him at His word…
“Yes, I am coming soon!”
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! (Rev 22:20)
Are you alert? Have you alerted others? GOSPEL OF THIS ERA IS NOT ONLY THAT CHRIST CAME BUT THAT HE IS ALSO COMING AGAIN…SOON!
So even as we sing
O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
For all we know in a twinkle of an eye, we may be having our mid-air rendezvous with the Lord. This expectation ought to makes this year’s Christmas, one of added jubilation, right? CERTAINLY! Merry “alert” Christmas, to one and all…
(Suresh Manoharan)
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