“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? Seriously? Small, least, uninteresting, insignificant, rural, scarred, forgotten Bethlehem? The birthplace of the Immaculate Emancipator, the Messiah? I believe God remembered and saw Bethlehem for what it really was, a lovely, bustling place with a rich history. Maybe it’s the same way God sees us. God knew each of us before the formation of the world, as He knew Bethlehem. We all have scars, a past, a history we hope no one ever sees or remembers, but God still sees us as a dwelling place where He can do great things. God was working His purpose through Bethlehem that first Christmas to see His kingdom come, and God is working His purpose through you this Christmas to see His kingdom come. Regardless of how obscure you may think you are, how insignificant you may feel, how close to crisis you really are, when Christ is born in us, we are changed! Don’t miss this, Jesus wants to be born in you today. He wants you to be his Bethlehem. When people look at you this Christmas season, will they recognize that YOU are the hometown, the birthplace of Jesus? Stay Close to Jesus – Pastor Bryce
