Bethlehem, an obscure town, brought forth the birth of our Savior, a pivotal moment in the history of mankind.
“And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.” Matthew 2:6
God sent into the world His son, Jesus, whose birth, life, death, and resurrection made it possible for humanity to receive the gift of everlasting life. Jesus was born in a world of turmoil when Israel was subject to Roman rule and oppression. The long-foretold promise of a coming Messiah was fulfilled when Jesus was born in the City of David, which is called Bethlehem.
The birth of the King took place in a humble setting. We envision a traditional nativity scene with a great star shining brightly, shepherds and their flocks, and angels heralding His birth. But why was Jesus born in Bethlehem? What made this site so special that God chose it as the Savior’s birthplace? The town holds no prominence like bustling Jerusalem, where one might expect a king to be born.
Place of Prophecies
Bethlehem was the place where centuries of ancient prophecies were fulfilled. It is where human history is divided from BC to AD because of Jesus’ birth. In Bethlehem, His coming forever changed the history of Israel, from Abraham to Messiah and from Messiah to His second coming. To this day, Jesus is central to Jewish history and the future of mankind.
The Christmas story unfolds in Bethlehem, which has a long, rich history of kings, terror, love, tragedy, and blessing. The earliest-known mention of Bethlehem is in the Amarna, a diplomatic correspondence in the form of a clay tablet sent by ancient Egyptian administrators to their representatives in Canaan and surrounding areas. It was dated to 1350–1330 BC when Canaanites inhabited the town.
In 2012, Hebrew scripts engraved on a clay seal found in an archaeological dig at the City of David confirmed that Bethlehem was part of the Kingdom of Judah. In the Book of Micah, the 8th century BC prophet referred to the town as Bethlehem Ephratah. The Old Testament also refers to it as Beth-Lehem Judah, and the New Testament makes reference to the City of David.
Bethlehem’s Historical Events
The first mention of Bethlehem in the Bible is where Rachel died and was buried. The beloved wife of Jacob, she was the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, who became two of the twelve tribes of Israel. Her tomb is located at the northern entrance to Bethlehem.
Genesis 48:7: “And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Bethlehem.”
In the Book of Ruth, Bethlehem is the venue for another significant love story. Ruth, the Moabite woman whose husband died, followed her mother-in-law, Naomi, to Judah. They settled in Bethlehem where she worked in the fields. Ruth won the heart of Boaz, who loved and protected her and married her. Ruth became the great-grandmother of King David of Israel, selected by God as a man after His own heart.
Ruth 1:22: “So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.”
Bethlehem is mentioned in the Books of Samuel as the home of Jesse, the father of David. The town is also where Samuel, the prophet, anointed the shepherd, David, to be King of Israel. Three of David’s warriors are said to have drawn water from the well in Bethlehem and brought it to David while he was hiding in a cave from King Saul.
1 Samuel 16:1: “And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.”
Birthplace of Jesus
The prophet Micah foretold the birth of the Messiah in scripture approximately 700 years before it happened. The Messiah would be a descendant of David and be born in the town of Bethlehem.
Micah 5:2: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
In the New Testament, the accounts written in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke (Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 2:4-20) identify Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus.
Matthew 2:6: “And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.”
Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth but were required to travel to Bethlehem to participate in Caesar Augustus’s census, which took place while Mary was heavy with child. People living in Judea and the surrounding areas had to return to their ancestral homeland to be counted in the census. Since Joseph was a descendant of David, they headed to Bethlehem. While there, Mary gave birth to Jesus. This miraculous birth brought God from His heavenly palaces down to Earth as a helpless babe in a manger to live with us, die for us, and give us life everlasting.
Luke 2:4: “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)”
Luke 2:5: “To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.”
Luke 2:6: “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.”
Luke 2:7: “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Battleground of Good and Evil
Throughout history, the evil one has attempted to thwart God’s plan. This was true even in the insignificant town of Bethlehem, especially since the Savior was born there. Within a couple of years of Jesus’ birth, a horrendous tragedy occurred in Bethlehem, known as the Massacre of the Innocents. Herod the Great, king of Judea, feeling slighted by the traveling wisemen, ordered the execution of all male children up to two years of age in and around Bethlehem. Thus, fulfilling the scripture from the prophet Jeremiah:
Jeremiah 31:15: “Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.”
The juxtaposition here is the birth of Jesus, the Savior, the Prince of Peace, who brought everlasting life to all, versus King Herod, who sought to destroy his rival and brought death and destruction of life. It is estimated between six and twenty children perished in Bethlehem and perhaps a dozen more in the surrounding areas.
Rachel’s son, Benjamin, was the last son to be born of the twelve tribes of Israel. The next significant Son born of Israel would be the Messiah, the Savior who would deliver Rachel’s children and the world from hopeless death unto life everlasting.
John 1:49: “Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.”
House of Bread
“Bethlehem” is the Hebrew name for the House of Bread. For centuries, the Jewish people knew the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. It is no coincidence that Jesus, whose title is the Bread of Life, was born in the House of Bread, which directly ties Him to the royal line of David. Anyone who eats this bread is assured eternal life.
John 6:51: “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
Place of the Sacrificial Lamb
Bethlehem is known for the special lambs raised as sacrificial offerings at the Temple. Other lambs were raised elsewhere, but the lambs of the hills of Bethlehem were considered pure and worthy of sacrificial atonement for God. Specially trained shepherds kept the Temple lambs unblemished. They even wrapped perfect lambs in swaddling as soon as they were born to certify what was considered a holy birth.
Jesus, the Lamb of God, was born in the same unassuming setting of Bethlehem and was wrapped in swaddling like the Temple lambs. Just as those lambs were predestined for sacrifice, so was our Lord. God chose Jesus’ life to save the world, not just for atonement of sin, but for something far more significant. He paid the price for all our sins so we could have everlasting life.
John 1:29: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
It is fitting that Jesus, the Bread of Life, the Lamb of God, with His holy birth and royal lineage, should be born in Bethlehem, the City of David.
Luke 2:11: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:21: “And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
Miracle at Bethlehem
The miracle of Messiah’s birth brought us a new beginning. When we place our faith and trust in Him, we are born again. Only when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior are we reborn and fulfilled.
His promised birth in Bethlehem may have been humble, but His promised return will be far from humble. The Christmas story did not end with the birth of Jesus. It marked the beginning of restoration between God and all of mankind.
Read and share more about Christmas with your family and friends during this season of great joy!