The Third Sunday of Advent, 2016

Sunday, December 11, 2016

The Bethlehem Candle

By Patience Fort

Back in the day, everything important took place in Jerusalem. To say that Nazareth and Bethlehem were considered insignificant and unimportant -- although less than 10 miles away -- might be an understatement. The fact that King David had been from Bethlehem seemed to be tucked away in history somewhere.

During this time there were some newlyweds trying to get their feet on the ground. Their love of God and of each other was very strong. Yet things weren't easy. Their family was growing very quickly. There were obstacles. There were difficulties.  And, to top it off, they were ordered by law to drop everything and travel to his hometown to be counted. What an unbelievable inconvenience. 

“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. He went there to register with Mary, who . . . was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”  Luke 2:4-7 NIV

Today's Bethlehem Candle serves as a reminder that God uses the insignificant -- the unimportant -- the forgotten -- to birth extraordinary, incredible things. 

“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 NIV

Jesus. 

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.”  Jeremiah 23:5 NIV

Jesus. 

From Bethlehem. 

Of course, it is important for us to understand that God can use us, insignificant though we may be, to be His instruments of ministry and love. 

But I don't want us to miss the fact that God also uses unbelievers to accomplish His plan, as well. Consider this. 

Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth. She was in her final month of pregnancy. The last thing on her "to do" list would have been to travel away from the midwives and family at home. But according to the prophecies, Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem. The only thing that would get this couple moving was a law. So God used a pagan ruler to come up with the crazy idea of counting everybody to set the stage for Jesus' birthplace. 

Bethlehem. 

I think that's pretty cool. 

God can do anything -- with little or nothing. 

Lord, I am but a speck on this vast planet. Even so, use me today to accomplish your will. Use the worldly things around me to fulfill your plan, as well. May you be glorified above all!