21/12/07

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Micah 5:2 'But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.'


"O Little Town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie." In the fourth century Helena the mother of Constantine the Great built the Church of the Nativity over the traditional place where Jesus was born. The church has been rebuilt since that time (though parts of the floor remain from the original church), but the location is the same. You can even today descend into a small grotto or cave said to be the location of the manger where Jesus lay.

This was on the hill where Bethlehem overlooks a broad valley called Shepherd's Field. Today, it's a center for Christian pilgrimages. The word Beit-Lechem means House of Bread; and here was born the one who later said, "I am the bread of life."


[ Prayer for the Day ]

Father, the world knows the place where a small baby lay in a feeding trough to us who believe, both mysterious and marvelous. Help me take this Bread of Life to all in my Household and people You have given me in my life. I ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]

John 6:35
³⁵ And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life : he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)