Bethlehem was a little farming village, and the name means “house of bread.” The hometown of King David, sheep used for sacrifices in the Temple were raised there. Otherwise, it was a small backwater town. But it was the birthplace of Jesus.
Micah 5:2 foretells the coming of the Messiah in Bethlehem. Most translations refer to the town as little or small; a couple even use the word insignificant. But Father God chose this little, insignificant town for the grand entrance of His Son to Earth.
Jesus grew up in the town of Nazareth in Galilee. Apparently, most people didn’t think much of Nazareth either, because when Nathaniel first learned of Jesus he asked, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). Again, Father God chose “Nowheresville” for Jesus to live.
Over and over, God comes to us in our smallness, weakness, and insignificance. I believe He chooses us because He loves us. He wants to meet us where we are and to make us substantial, strong, and significant. His glory and power are most evident when He does this.
I hope during this Christmas season we all “get” at the heart level that God Himself came for us, to give us new life. It’s ours if we’ll only say “Yes” to Him.