“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting” – Micah 5:2, NKJV
Humility means a great deal to our Heavenly Father. He chose a town which was the least or little among the others of Judah for the birthplace of His beloved Son who is our greatest Example of humility. Even His earthly parents were ordinary. Joseph was a carpenter and Mary was a young virgin from the city, Nazareth.
Bethlehem means “house of bread” and was the birthplace of David, Israel’s beloved king. Ephrathah means “place of fruitfulness” It was the a place near Bethel where Rachel died and was buried and is another name for Bethlehem. Out of the “house of bread” and the “place of fruitfulness” came the Son of God, the Bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die (John 6:50).
The little town of Bethlehem became famous, not just because it was where an earthly king was born but it was where the King of Kings was to be born.
1 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.
2 For Christ is born of Mary,
and, gathered all above
while mortals sleep, the angels keep
their watch of wond’ring love.
O morning stars, together
proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the King
and peace to all the earth.
3 How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of his heav’n.
No ear may hear his coming,
but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him, still
the dear Christ enters in.
4 O holy Child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray,
cast out our sin and enter in,
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
our Lord Immanuel!
Sources: Bible Gateway; Blue Letter Bible; Hymnary
Notes to Women 