The Significance of Bethlehem in Biblical History
Bethlehem: The City of David
Bethlehem, located approximately six miles southwest of Jerusalem, holds a significant place in biblical history. It is referred to as the City of David, as it was the birthplace and hometown of King David, the second king of Israel and an ancestor of Jesus Christ (1 Samuel 16:1-13). The connection to King David is crucial in understanding why Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Prophecies Concerning the Messiah’s Birth
The Old Testament contains several prophecies that point to Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah. One of the most prominent prophecies is found in Micah 5:2, which states, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” This prophecy, written around 700 years before the birth of Jesus, specifically mentions Bethlehem as the birthplace of the future Messiah.
The Census and the Journey to Bethlehem
The Roman Census
At the time of Jesus’ birth, the Roman Empire dominated the region, and Caesar Augustus had issued a decree that a census should be taken throughout the entire empire (Luke 2:1). This census required everyone to return to their ancestral hometown to be registered.
Joseph and Mary’s Journey
As descendants of King David, Joseph and Mary were required to travel from Nazareth, where they lived, to Bethlehem, the City of David, to be registered for the census (Luke 2:4-5). This journey, covering approximately 90 miles, would have taken several days by foot or donkey, and was especially challenging for Mary, who was near the end of her pregnancy.
The Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem
No Room in the Inn
Upon arriving in Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary found that there was no room available for them in the inn (Luke 2:7). This was likely due to the influx of people arriving in the city for the census. As a result, Mary gave birth to Jesus in humble surroundings, possibly in a stable or a cave used to shelter animals.
The Manger
The Bible mentions that Mary wrapped the newborn Jesus in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger (Luke 2:7). A manger is a feeding trough for animals, which suggests that the birthplace of Jesus was indeed a place where animals were kept.
The Adoration of the Shepherds
The Angel’s Announcement
On the night of Jesus’ birth, an angel appeared to a group of shepherds who were watching over their flocks in the fields near Bethlehem (Luke 2:8-14). The angel announced the birth of the Savior, the Messiah, and provided the shepherds with a sign: they would find the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.
The Shepherds’ Visit
The shepherds quickly made their way to Bethlehem and found Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus, just as the angel had described (Luke 2:15-16). They shared with others what they had seen and heard, and all who heard it were amazed (Luke 2:17-18). The shepherds then returned to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had witnessed (Luke 2:20).
The Theological Significance of Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem
Fulfillment of Prophecy
The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is significant because it fulfills the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. By being born in the City of David, Jesus is identified as the long-awaited Messiah, the descendant of David who would reign forever (2 Samuel 7:12-13; Isaiah 9:6-7).
God’s Sovereignty and Providence
The events surrounding the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem demonstrate God’s sovereignty and providence. The census decreed by Caesar Augustus, the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem, and the humble circumstances of Jesus’ birth all point to God’s divine plan and control over human history.
The Humble Beginnings of the Savior
Jesus’ birth in a lowly stable and his first bed being a manger underscore the humility and simplicity of his earthly life. The King of kings and Lord of lords chose to enter the world not in a royal palace, but in a humble setting, identifying with the poor and the marginalized.