Hope in a Small Town

12/9- Hope in a Small Town- “But you Bethlehem…out of you will come the Messiah” Micah 5:2
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." 1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi ^a from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
   3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6“ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ^b ” 7Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” (Matthew 2)

Thoughts: Sometimes, because things happen in the past, we assume they have added layer on layer of mystique.  However, the New Testament was written down within the lifetime of the eyewitnesses who could corroborate or deny the events.  While over the years layer of tradition is laid on top of the story (for example there were three wise men because there were three gifts; and the names of the wise men), the truth behind the legends is not suspect.  We know, for example, from outside sources that King Herod was a real king.  We know, in accordance to this passage that he was an extremely jealous king (even killing his own family members- wife and sons in suspicion of undermining his throne).  There are also many theories about the star that make that a possibility- the alignment of planets for example about 4 BC. 
      But we can miss the meat of the story by trying to defend the veracity of it.  The meat of the story is that a small, forgotten, sheep herding town became famous once again.  This time, not just nationally famous (birthplace of king David), but globally famous (birthplace of the Savior of the world).  It is the classic story of God lifting up the humble. 
   This humility is pointed out- But you Bethlehem, though you are least among the towns of Judah… People value worth in terms of popularity, and how well known some place or person is.  But God sees the small, the neglected, those that are otherwise in darkness.  This is the good news.  A carpenter’s son became King of kings.  He was not born in the throne room or palace.  He was not born in the capital with tabloids and social media blasting out every detail (think Prince George).  He was born in the smallest darkest, most hopeless place.  Then he was born in a barn, with a feeding trough for his bed.  All this points to God’s lifting up the humble and remembering those the world forgets.  Let us be faithful where we are.  God does not forget you, but is watching you.  Your faithful acts and work for Him will be rewarded. 

Prayer: Lord, let me not give up hope in the midst of humility.  Instead let me see that you are the lifter of my head. 

Song: “1. O sing a song of Bethlehem,Of shepherds watching there, And of the news that came to them
From angels in the air: The light that shone on Bethlehem Fills all the world to-day; Of Jesus' birth and peace on earth The angels sing alway.