Advent Devotional - November 28

November 28 Bethlehem

“O little town of Bethlehem”

Pray

Father, as I begin the journey through Advent, this is my prayer: may I draw nearer and nearer to Your Son. Amen.

Read – Micah 5:2

“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.”

Reflect

What comes to mind when you hear the name, ‘Bethlehem’? For many of us, the word conjures up images of snow-covered fields, the crisp-clear air of a December night, an old stone barn and a curious light. For our children the word may mean Christmas carols in a hushed church, Joseph in a bathrobe and Mary blushing in blue.

Whether or not our mental picture bears any relation to the reality of what happened, long ago in Bethlehem, is not really the point. The Christmas we celebrate is about much more than the traditions we have stacked around it. Our celebration is much deeper than legend; beyond the tinseled fripperies and the secular trappings, Christmas tells us of a God who loves us enough to come into our world. From the height of glory, God reached down in the person of His Son, so that He could raise us up to glory.

In many ways, the little town of Bethlehem has become a symbol of hope, despite the simmering tension that remains there. It’s a very ordinary place, a bit of a backwater. Yet, into its dark streets came the Hope of the World. If Christ can come to such a place, surely He can come into the darkened corners of our lives. So, as Advent begins, let us prepare a Bethlehem in our hearts.