O Little Town of Bethlehem

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Introduction

Bethlehem was a poor town, where many people lived in modified caves. The markets were likely to have been small, and the town without beauty. The land would have been parched, and the shepherds would have struggled to find grass to feed their small flocks of sheep. 

In 1865, Philipp Brooks traveled from Boston to Israel, spending time in Bethlehem. It was in the year 1868 he would pen the words in a poem to his Sunday School class, that we’ve all come to know as, “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” 

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.

First Impression

-              Genesis 35:19-21 - So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). 20 And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day. 21 Then Israel journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.

-              Rachel – name means “ewe.”

-              Rachel was wife of Jacob (Israel) and the mother of Joseph & Benjamin.

-              Bethlehem – means “house of bread.”

-              Tower of Eder – “tower of the flock,” a shepherd’s watchtower near Bethlehem. 

History

-              Childhood home of David

-              Called the City of David

-              At Migdal Eder in Bethlehem, the place where unblemished firstborn lambs were born and raised, wrapped in cloths to keep clean, and brought to Jerusalem as Passover sacrifices at the temple.

-              Kingdom established forever (2 Samuel 7:16, Luke 1:31-33, Micah4:8) 

Significance

-              Census

-              Jesus, the Lamb of God was wrapped in cloths and laid in a manger (Hebrews 13:20) 

-              Shepherds were introduced first. (Luke 2:8-20) 

-              John’s Introduction (John 1:29) 

-              Wise Men Visit (Matthew 2)

-              Prophecy fulfilled 

o   The nations will be blessed through Abraham’s lineage (Genesis 12:3/Acts 3:25-26)

o    God’s covenant with Isaac’s ancestors (Genesis 17:19/Romans 9:7)

o   The nations will be blessed through Jacob’s offspring (Genesis 28:14/Luke 3:34)

o   The scepter will come through Judah (Genesis 49:10/Luke 3:33)

o   David’s offspring will have an eternal kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12-13/Matthew 1:1)

o   A virgin will give birth and He will be called Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14/Luke 1:35)

o   The Messiah will end up in Egypt (Hosea 11:1/Matthew 2:14-15)

o   The Christ will be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2/Matthew 2:4-6)

Conclusion

Jesus invites us instead to set our hearts and hopes on him—the Bread of Life born in the house of bread who came down from heaven and gives life to the world, because those who come to him will never hunger and never perish (John 6:33-35). 

This is good news and great joy. In the house of bread, the city of David, a Savior was born to us. And he is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11).

About 2,000 years ago, Jesus came to earth in a humble manner. The Savior of the world and God of all creation put on humanity to die for our sins and conquer death, giving the hope of salvation to all who turn from their sin and believe on Him. One day, He will return in judgment, and He will not appear as a seemingly helpless baby, but as the risen, glorified, sovereign Lord and Judge.