Slideshow image

December 12

Title: O Little Town of Bethlehem

Text: Luke 2:4

I love church. I love history in general. Knowing the background, the original context is always fascinating to me. This also goes for one of the most popular Christmas hymns, O Little Town of Bethlehem. Charlene Mires writes: 

“One of the best-known hymns of the Christmas season, “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” originated in 1868 as a poem written for the Sunday School of the Church of the Holy Trinity on Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square. The words by Rector Phillips Brooks (1835-93) and music by church organist Lewis H. Redner (1831-1908) resonated themes of stillness and peace in the aftermath of the Civil War.” 

She continues, 

“An early publisher of Brooks’s papers observed of the hymn, “It is an exquisitely simple thing, and yet one feels behind the words the existence of a great soul, meditating on the mystery of the divine revelation.” Composed in Philadelphia, published in hymnals for many denominations, and performed by musicians from Elvis Presley (1935-77) to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” became an annual and beloved hallmark of the Christmas season.”

Mires is right. It is a simple, exquisite hymn. Obviously, it was based on these two verses. 

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David. (Luke 2:4)

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. (Micah 5:2) 

Scholars differ—but the consensus is that Bethlehem in Jesus’ day was probably around 500 people—at the most. 

Not a big city. Nothing really impressive about it. A little town. Insignificant from the world’s standpoint. But God chose this to be the birthplace of the King of Kings. Yet the truth is this is God’s way of doing things—using the poor and insignificant to humble the proud and the wise (I Cor. 1:27)

Jesus was not good looking. Neither was Paul. Peter was a lowly fisherman. Joseph was a carpenter. This is God’s way. This elevates His glory, not ours. This is confusing to us, but that is just because of our frail, human thinking. The Samsons, the King Sauls—were impressive, from a human standpoint, but they were arrogant, stubborn, selfish, ungodly humans. Their demise is well documented. They are viewed in scripture as an example of a life wasted, not a life to emulate. This is meant to encourage us—but most of us, including myself, are insignificant in the world’s eyes. But not in God’s eyes. He chose us to magnify His glory. What a privilege! Christians, rest in your weakness. The greatest in the kingdom have faith like a child. Let’s be children today. 13 days till Christmas.