O Little Smudge of Bethlehem

CONSIDER THIS

Twist the time back, and travel to Bethlehem, to silently watch and listen.

Why Bethlehem? It’s just a smudge on the map that possesses an abundance of outcasts. Why did God choose this place to birth the Savior of the world?

• Jesus wasn’t born in the brilliance and glory of Rome, the largest city of the world, powerful, influential, legendary — because He was despised and rejected by men.
• Jesus wasn’t born in Athens, revered for its intellect, where brilliant minds like Socrates and Aristotle resided — because this Rabbi spoke in simple parables so all people could understand.
• Jesus wasn’t born in Jerusalem, the home of the Holies of Holies, a place which embraced overwhelmingly oppressive religious traditions and ceremonies — because He alone rescues, redeems and transforms us, He alone builds a bridge of relationship, He alone sees us, treasures us, loves us — and gave Himself for us.

Jesus wasn’t born in any significant city, town, country, or province. 

He was born in Bethlehem. The place where outcasts live. The place no one desires. The place of insignificance. Here He takes each one — the insignificant, the outcasts and the forgotten — and gives them purpose. That’s what He does. 

See, there in the manger, the Baby newly-born: He is the Promise come, the Gift given, the Light of the World. In Him there is no darkness. Our Hope. Our Life. Our Everything.

O come, let us worship Him.