Tuesday, January 6, 2004

And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel. Matthew 2:6

Bethlehem is universally loved as the Christmas village. We fondly sing the carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and imagine Jesus cooing in a manger while cows stand by in the starlit night. To us, Bethlehem is the quaint site of Jesus' birth.

To the gospel writer Matthew and our biblical tradition, however, Bethlehem is much more significant. It was not just a meek village on the southern outskirts of the city of Jerusalem, but a town rich in tradition. It wasn't the accidental site of Mary's laboring, but the wellspring of a royal line which included Jesus. Jesus' birth in Bethlehem signified his sovereignty as the Messiah.

A quick study of a concordance reveals Bethlehem's rich historical and theological heritage.

1- Bethlehem of Ruth: the village of courtesy (Ruth 2:1-23)

2- Bethlehem of David: the village of consecration (I Samuel 16:1-13)

3- Bethlehem of Three Mighty Men: the village of dedication (II Samuel 23:13-17)

4- Bethlehem of Micah: the village of hope (Micah 5:2)

5- Bethlehem of Jesus: the village of revelation (Luke 2:1-20)

These passages, abundant in story and context, make Bethlehem one of the holiest of holy cities. They show that Jesus' entrance into this world, particularly in this city, was not a mishap or coincidence but another stroke of God's handiwork.

Considering the sacred importance that Bethlehem has in our biblical tradition, what does it mean that Jesus hailed from this town? Can there be sanctity in a certain location? Looking at the modern-day civil strife in the Holy Lands, what is our role in helping to restore peace to that region?

PRAYER: Dear God, help us to better understand our history and tradition so that we may better understand who we are today. Let us not forget your labors in years gone by and may we remember our work of this day. Move us to restore the holiness of your lands and the sanctity of your people. Amen.

Amanda Stein

All contents copyright 2003 by the Wisconsin Chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action. Permission is granted to United Methodist congregations, individuals and groups to reproduce and distribute this devotional without charge. All other use requires the advance permission of the editor.