WORD TODAY: Bethlehem

 

Christmas Prophecies: Bethlehem In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to their own town to register. Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. Luke 2 WHEN Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem there was nowhere to spend the night. The inn was full. The only place that Mary and Joseph could find was a stable. BUT this was no ordinary stable! Bethlehem was a special city for the Jews. Bethlehem was where lambs were raised for the temple in Jerusalem. The temple lambs were specially selected and cared for in a facility that was just for them. The stables were located near an ancient tower, so it was called the Tower of the Flock (Migdal Eder.) Bethlehem had shepherds who were expertly trained to care for the temple lambs so they could be certified for temple use. Because the sacrificial lambs had to be perfect, the stables may have been much nicer than what we see on Christmas cards. The stables weren’t used year-round, however. They were only needed in the early spring when the lambs were born. So, the special stables at Migdal Eder could have been used for temporary housing during the time of the census. IS IT POSSIBLE that the Lamb of God - who would become atonement for us all - was born in the very same stables where the sacrificial lambs were cared for and certified? The prophet Micah actually predicted this very thing: You, tower of the flock, the hill of the daughter of Zion, to you it will come, yes, the former dominion will come, the Kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem. Micah 4:8 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Micah 5:2 Jesus fulfilled all the many prophecies regarding the Jewish Messiah, some of which were very specific. Mathematicians have told us the odds for such thorough fulfillment are statistically impossible: unless arranged by God.

 

WORD TODAY: Immanuel!

 

Christmas Story: God With Us! Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 One of the names for Jesus Christ is Immanuel which means "God is with us." In Israel, it was sometimes a battle cry. Soldiers would shout "Immanuel" to encourage themselves as they marched out to battle. (Even the Swedish troops used it as their battle cry during the 30 years’ war.) So, the Jews were expecting their Messiah to be a warrior King Messiah who would defeat all their enemies and set up a Kingdom of peace and prosperity. When God arrived among them as a helpless infant born to peasant parents, identifying with the poorest and lowliest of mankind throughout His earthly life... Well, to say that this Messiah was not what the Jews were expecting, is an understatement. Jesus Christ came to experience life as one of us. God with us, even the most insignificant of us! He was surrounded by poor, sick, hurting people throughout his ministry. He was hungry, cold and tired. He owned nothing. He settled down among the lowly, met their needs and loved them. Jesus the loving Shepherd is God with us: Immanuel.