Jesus was not born in the house of royalty, nor the house of riches, nor the house of celebrity. Jesus was not born in Jerusalem, nor in Rome, nor in Alexandria. He was not born in any cultural, commercial, political, or socially significant city of that day.

When Micah, the Old Testament prophet, foretold the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, he emphasized its lack of significance to the world. But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf (Micah 5:2, NLT). Bethlehem was so insignificant that it was not even included in the list of conquered cities in the book of Joshua.

Jesus’ birth was announced to shepherds, very common people, rather than to King Herod. His cradle was a manger, an animal’s feeding trough, in a lowly stable. There is no person so low that he or she is outside the reach of the love and grace of God. God wanted us to know that His Son is available to all! Because of Bethlehem, there is hope for you and me.

Because of Bethlehem we have confidence in the Word of God. Micah prophesied over 600 years before it happened that Christ would be born in Bethlehem. This is one of 300 prophecies from the Old Testament surrounding the coming, birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Prophecies like Jesus would be born of a virgin, from the seed of Abraham, from the tribe of Judah, and from the house of David have been completely realized. Every single prophecy has been specifically fulfilled.

Because of Bethlehem, our spiritual hunger is completely fulfilled. Bethlehem means “the house of bread.” Jesus said, I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall never hunger (John 6:35). In John 6:51 Jesus said: I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.

The Hebrew word Ephrathah means "fruitful" or "abundance.” Jesus said in John 10:10: I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. Bread is a good comparison to our Lord because He satisfies, gratifies, strengthens, and blesses us spiritually just as bread does physically. Have you satisfied your hunger with Jesus yet?