Seven hundred years before Jesus was born, a prophet called his nation to return to God before judgment would come. They didn't, the judgment came, and the northern part of Israel was taken into captivity. Yet, in the middle of his prophecies he made a startling prediction:
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.
Bethlehem is known as "the house of bread". It was also the home of Joseph, who had at one time moved away and settled in Nazareth. As Mary's pregnancy went on, they heard the decree of Caesar and were forced to take a 75 mile journey south to Joseph's home town - Bethlehem.
Luke 2:1-7
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should
be taken of the entire Roman world.
2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was
governor of Syria.)
3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to
Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and
line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married
to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in
cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them in the
inn.
All over the world people gather to worship during Advent - proclaiming Jesus
Christ as our Savior and Lord. All of this is done in the midst of
everyday living...with work to be done, appointments to keep, shuttling
children to school and events, helping with homework, doing the wash, making
meals, going to the office, arranging for the plumber or electrician to
come...everyday stuff.
The world today is filled with the mundane...even in the midst of wars,
economic and political realities, and nations at war.
We focus on our world and the "urgent" among us and often forget that
God is at work behind the scenes. Joseph is ordered by decree to return to Bethlehem. Caesar is on the throne.
His armies were victorious when they moved into Gaul. The Romans conquered Arabia and marched on England. Rome is filled with the politics of building projects, raising taxes, and
power moves. Caesar believes HE is the most powerful person in the world.
They named him "Augustus" - meaning the "holy, revered one".
Some of his lackeys ruling in his empire name places after him...they did
in Israel with Caesarea. One Roman coin discovered has a picture of him
with the words "savior of the world". It is the cult of Caesar
that dominates the news.
But, several thousands of miles away from Rome, God is at work. God
uses the decree of the Emperor to fulfill an ancient prophecy of
Micah that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. NO ONE thought much of
a young couple traveling on a donkey from the north to the south of Israel - to
Bethlehem.
Bethlehem - "The House of Bread"
- King
David was born there and was a shepherd there.
- Boaz married Ruth there.
- Jacob
had buried his wife Sarah there 1000 years before.
A small village built on steep desert hills. Bethlehem, a small village...like Princeton where I live. Who would believe that anything good can come from a small village like that? God did. Caesar was on the throne and he ruled over the whole known world...but what he didn't know that day was that God was using him and God's Kingdom was about to invade the earth!
We need to remember that the urgent does not need to drive us. We need to know - not just intellectually - but with mind and heart that God knows what he is doing in the world in turmoil lay the hymn says. God is still on His throne, and His Will will be done. Bethlehem, the house of bread, where the hopes and fears of all the years are met there that night.O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by;
yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.
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