SONG: O Little Town of Bethlehem was written by Rev. Phillips Brooks in 1868. He wrote it three years after a remarkable experience in the Holy Land on Christmas Eve in 1865. The story goes:
On Christmas Eve, he distanced himself from the thousands of other pilgrims who had arrived in the Holy Land for Christmas. Unaccompanied, Brooks borrowed a horse and set out across the desolate desert exploring the land of Jesus’ birth on his own and with his own eyes.
As the sun faded and the stars began to emerge, he rode into the small village of Bethlehem. There he recalled the Gospel stories of Christ’s birth and powerfully encountered the true meaning of Christmas. Upon returning home, he would tell family and friends that his experience that evening was so overpowering it would permanently be “singing in my soul.” (Courtesy Our Sunday Visitor)
On this same night, Brooks was also helping with a midnight service at the Church of the Holy Nativity. The experience of seeing Bethlehem from a quiet vantage point and hearing the great swelling songs of praise at the site of the Savior’s birth overhelmed Brooks. The result of this experience is the carol we still sing today. This simple rendition by Sarah McLachlan captures the quiet beauty of Bethlehem that Brooks must have observed that night long ago.
SCRIPTURE: Micah 5:2 is one of hundreds of Messianic (related to the Messiah) prophecies that Jesus fulfilled.
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
are only a small village among all the people of Judah.
Yet a ruler of Israel,
whose origins are in the distant past,
will come from you on my behalf.
Bethlehem is also known as the “City of David” which is important because Jesus is descended from the line of King David. Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem in order to be counted in a census since this was the decree of the Roman government at that time. This would allow the 700-year-old prophecy from Micah to be fulfilled, further connecting Jesus to the line of David, as outlined in Matthew Chapter 1. Further connection of Jesus to the David (and therefore the City of David) can be found in Isaiah 11:1 (NIV)
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
This is an allusion to the coming Messiah, who would come from the line of King David (Jesse was David’s father). It is simply incredible how over many years, God ordained events, people and places to fulfill His plan of sending the Savior into the world. The little town of Bethlehem, a seemingly insignificant place in the hill country, was the birthplace of the King of Kings. Many expected the mighty city of Jerusalem to be the place to look for the Messiah. I love how God uses the least likely things to bring about His plan to demonstrate His own sovereignty.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You that there are many signs and ways for us to know that Jesus is Lord. One of them is that you chose Bethlehem, years before the birth of Jesus, as the place He would come from. Allow us to make room in our hearts for Your Son this Christmas season. I am in awe when I pause and ponder the majesty of Your plan and how You bring everything together by Your sovereign power. I ask you to help me remember that you can use anything, anyone and anyplace to achieve your purpose. In the name of Jesus I pray, AMEN.
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Hi! I’m Tracy. I love Jesus, my family, Earl Grey Tea, and quiet mornings. Here at Earl Grey and Yellow, the focus is striving to be faithful and appreciate the small things. So glad you stopped by. Please have a look around and subscribe to our newsletter and social media to stay connected.
