Matthew 2:1-6 (NIV)
2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem
2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.
5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:
6 "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"
The Biblical story of Bethlehem is quite interesting. There are two Bethlehems in the Bible. The one we associate with Jesus' birth is in the south, near Jerusalem. The other is in the north, not too far from Nazareth where Jesus was raised.
Bethlehem in Judah is the birthplace. Bethlehem is first mentioned in The Bible as the place near where Rachel died. It was known variously as Ephrath (Genesis 35:16), Bethlehem Ephratah (Micah 5:2), Bethlehem-Judah (1 Samuel 17:12), and "the city of David" (Luke 2:4). The birthplace of Jesus is significant because of the prophecy of Micah that the priests quote to Herod when he asks "where" the Christ (Messiah) was to be born. Of course, he decides that there's nothing to it so he sends the Magi on their way...until they don't return, and then he launches a campaign to kill all boys under the age of 2. He's afraid of the new King...and frankly, he ought to be.
The house of bread seems to be a fitting place for our Savior to come into the world. It was not his hometown, that would have been Nazareth. Remember the story?
Luke 2:1-5 (NIV)
2:1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3 And everyone went to his own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
The story of this little village (probably less than a few thousand when Jesus was born there) is the story of how God sought through humble means to bring about salvation to the world.
Jesus said, "I am the bread of life" I love bread...it reminds me that Jesus is my sustenance...he is my life.
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