O Little Town of Bethlehem, by Connie Giordano

"God chooses the little things of the world to eclipse in glory its greatest things." - Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary

"The small was to become great, and the mean exalted." - Pulpit Commentary

"The birth of a distinguished personage was always supposed to give honor and importance to a city or country." - Barnes' Notes

In Bethlehem - "the house of bread" - was born the Living Bread. Before Christ was born, the world was full of starving men, hungering after pleasures, riches, and honours. He Himself satisfies all men's hunger.- Biblical Illustrator

Micah 5:2 says -"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."

Matthew 2:6 says - "And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule My people Israel." 

The message behind this Bible Teaching is simply this - whatever you connect or associate with the Lord Jesus automatically becomes exalted and takes on dignity and eternal honor. 

Look at the "little town of Bethlehem," for example. The Prophet Micah said this of it - "...though thou be little among the thousands..." It was scarcely large enough to be reckoned among the "thousands of Judah." Yet, it became the birthplace of He - "whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." Even though it was a lowly place, such honor was conferred to it when it became the birthplace of the World's Redeemer.  

Micah called it "Bethlehem Ephratah" - meaning "house of Bread" and "Fruitful Field." Both names together signified plenty, abundance, and fertility. 

Did Matthew contradict Micah when he said - "And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah..."? Micah described Bethlehem in this way - "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah..." Micah declared Bethlehem to be "little," while Matthew said the opposite. The explanation for this? It pertains to the timing of the prophesy. In Micah's time, this town was classified as being  "little." However, in Matthew's time - after the birth of Christ - it became great in importance.

As far as population is concerned, Bethlehem was a small place. As to worldly splendor, riches, and pompous buildings, it was mean and contemptible. However, such honor and glory was conferred on it after Christ's birth - lifting it in importance above all the cities of Israel.

Bethlehem was situated approximately six miles south of Jerusalem. Its name in the Hebrew meant "House of Bread" - a very appropriate name for it - for it was here where the "true bread" that came down from heaven - the "Bread of Life" - the true manna - was born. In the Arabic, its name signified the "House of Flesh" - the house of the Incarnation - the place where "God was manifested in the flesh" for the salvation of a lost and dying world (1 Timothy 3:16). 

Clearly, we see in the Scriptures that a humble village - through its connection with Jesus - became exalted. By the world's standards, it was little, mean, and contemptible - that is, until Jesus was associated with it.  

The Pulpit Commentary explained it in this way - "Bethlehem has become one of the most notable places in the world - a theme for poets, a subject for artists, a goal for pilgrims. Its nams have received a new and higher significance. Bethlehem has become a "house of bread" for a dying world; Ephratah has been "fruitful" in the richest blessings for the human race."  

If this happened to the "little town of Bethlehem," what could happen with a human heart, life, or ministry that connects or is associated with Jesus? Something that is so "small" in the world's standards immediately takes on great honor and significance.  

What do you have in your hand or life that is esteemed by men to be "small" or insignificant? 

Connect it with Jesus and watch it become exalted!  

Before Jesus birth, it was "O Little Town Of Bethlehem"!

After Jesus' birth, it became a place that the whole world recognizes and celebrates each year! 

Imagine what God will do with that in which you allow Jesus to birth His life!  

May God Bless His Word,

Connie