Dec. 15th. Bethlehem

Bethlehem

A city in the “hill country” of Judah

It was originally called Ephrath. It is first noticed in Scripture as the place where Rachel died and was buried “by the wayside,” directly to the north of the city. The valley to the east was the scene of the story of Ruth the Moabitess. There are the fields in which she gleaned, and the path by which she and Naomi returned to the town. Here was David's birthplace, and here also, the birthplace of Jesus.

The gospel of Matthew (Matthew 2:6) gives us a unique blending of Old and New Testament history through the prophetic announcement of the birthplace of Jesus. The history is rich with Biblical figures who have shaped culture, but not-so powerful as the birth of Jesus. Our very foundation of Christian faith and witness come from this city on a hill. So it is no wonder that at one point in the teaching of Jesus He makes reference to our lives being like a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.

I believe that our passage of scripture today points to the people who received the first message and gift of the birth of Jesus. But more importantly it points to each of us as receivers of this truth.

I am convicted by the words of a song by Third Day, of the importance of this reality. I pray that we also will be like Bethlehem that out of us will come the truth of the power of Christ to redeem all people. Here are the lyrics from the song “City on a Hill,” by Third Day.

You are the light of the world

A city on a hill cannot be hidden

Shine your light before all men

That they might see your works and then

Praise your Father up in Heaven

A city on a hill cannot be hidden

Standing tall before all men

To show the things that it's been given

And everything that it can give

Just like that city on a hillside

We got a light that's deep within us

No, don't keep it to yourself

Just remember how you felt

When you first gave your life to Jesus

And I know that our salvation isn't based on the things we do

But it's only given by the grace of God

By the sacrifice of Jesus, and if we really did believe

We were born to share this message with someone