The beloved Christmas hymn of “O Little Town of Bethlehem'' by Brooks Phillip, Redner Lewis, and Robertson Leroy sings, “Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie/Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.”
“O Little Town of Bethlehem” is one of the many Christmas songs sung each year by people across the globe. The city of Bethlehem is very significant in the Bible as this little town became the birthplace of the Savior of the world.
The City of the King
The main significance of Bethlehem is that it is the birthplace of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, there were numerous prophecies that the coming Messiah was going to be born in Bethlehem.
The Old Testament prophet Micah prophesied, “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” (Micah 5:2).
Bethlehem was not an important city at the time Jesus was born. The previous glory of King David had already washed away, and Bethlehem was now seen as a rather insignificant city. Despite Bethlehem being an insignificant city at the time, it has now become known as the city of our Lord.
The Bible tells us Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem to His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:4-20). Herod was king over Bethlehem at the time Jesus was born (Matthew 2:1). Since Herod was a cruel king, the people were massively oppressed under his rule.
The news of the wise men coming from the east to worship the newly born Messiah caused Herod to feel threatened for his seat on the throne. Out of his wickedness, he ordered for all male babies to be killed in Bethlehem who were under the age of two (Matthew 2:16-18).
Despite Herod’s attempt to kill Jesus, Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt after Joseph had been warned in a dream by an angel to leave Bethlehem and go to Egypt (Matthew 2:13). Mary, Joseph, and Jesus did not leave Egypt until it was safe, which did not occur until Herod had died (Matthew 2:15).
This was to fulfill the prophecy made by the prophet Hosea, “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son” (Hosea 11:1). In other words, God was calling His Son out of Egypt to return to Bethlehem, the rightful city of the King.
The name of Bethlehem is particularly significant because “Bethlehem” means “house of bread (beth: house, lehem: of bread)” (Ibid.). This is fitting given the truth that Jesus is the bread of life. The Lord tells us, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35).
Bread was a staple food during New Testament times as most people would eat bread for their daily meals. Bread was also an important aspect of Temple worship (Ibid.). The meaning of Bethlehem points to how Jesus is our bread of life as He fulfills our physical needs as well as our spiritual needs.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus emphasized the importance of relying on Him for salvation. Following the Law would not save a person — only the Messiah could redeem the world of its sins. As Paul later declares, Jesus was the end of the Law (Romans 10:4).
Jesus is the bread of life, and He was born in Bethlehem, the “house of bread” in order to give us abundant life. Brilliantly written by writer and speaker Jennifer Slattery, “God sent the Prince of Peace to give us peace, the Bread of life, birthed in the house of bread, to give us life, from now to eternity” (Ibid.). Those who place faith in Jesus will be sustained by the Bread of Life for all eternity.
The History of Bethlehem
Bethlehem is an extremely old city as the first mention of Bethlehem is in the Book of Genesis. Genesis records Bethlehem as being the nearest town when Rachel dies (35:19). During this time, Bethlehem was known as “Ephrath” (Genesis 35:19).
The town of Bethlehem is mentioned throughout the Old Testament as Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi lived in Bethlehem with her husband and two sons before they came to Moab (Ruth 1:1).
They had moved to Moab because of a great famine; however, Naomi and Ruth returned back to Bethlehem after Naomi’s husband passed away along with her two sons, one of which was Ruth’s husband (Ruth 1:16-19).
Ruth was a Moabitess as she was not originally from Bethlehem. She was from Moab, yet she chose to stay faithful to Naomi and returned to Naomi’s hometown of Bethlehem with her. Ruth met Boaz in Bethlehem and they were married in this humble town (Ruth 4:13).
After they were married, Ruth became pregnant, gave birth to a son, and they named him Obed (Ruth 4:17). Obed became the father of Jesse, who was the father of David (Ruth 4:17). This is the same David who followed the Lord and became the great King David.
David was a humble shepherd boy, who was the youngest of his family. Nobody had thought David would become anything; however, David became a man after God’s heart (1 Samuel 13:14) and later became the second king of Israel (2 King 5:1-5).
David went through many difficult times during his rule and even sinned against God by committing adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:1-27). Despite David’s sin, he turned back to God and confessed his sins before God.
David and Bathsheba’s baby died; however, after a period of time, God blessed them, and they had Solomon (2 Samuel 12:13-25). It is through David’s lineage that Jesus was born (Matthew 1:1-17).
A Humble Town
It is without a doubt to glean that Bethlehem was not an important town, yet God is known for making the weak things of the world great in order to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27).
Bethlehem was once seen as a tiny city that was not even big enough to be included among the clans of Judah (Micah 5:2); however, Bethlehem grew to become the city of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Bethlehem may not be the grandest, most spacious, or most popular city, yet it is the birthplace of our Lord. Throughout the Bible, Bethlehem played a major role in the lives of God’s people. Even to this day, Bethlehem remains as she eagerly awaits her King to return.
The city of Bethlehem is significant because it is where Ruth and Boaz met and got married, it was the hometown of David, and it is the birthplace of Jesus.
This humble town may be overlooked by many people today; however, God will always remember it as the town where He sent His Son to be born into the world in order to provide redemption for all mankind.
When you celebrate Christmas this year, remember the importance of the humble little city of Bethlehem.
For further reading:
What Is the Significance of the Star of Bethlehem?
What Do We Know about the Shepherds at Jesus’ Birth?
Did Mary and Joseph Really Stay in a Cave?
Why Was Jesus Being from Nazareth Derogatory?
What Does it Mean That Jesus Is the Son of David?
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