Old Testament prophecy foretold that the Messiah
was to be born in Bethlehem. Jesus was
born in Bethlehem. He is the Christ (Messiah);
the Son of God.
Now in
those days a decree went out from
Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of
all the inhabited earth. This was
the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of
Syria. And all the people were on their
way to register for the census,
each to his own city. Now Joseph also went up from
Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea,
to the city of David which is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of
David, in order to register along with
Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was pregnant.
While they were there, the time came for
her to give birth. And she gave birth to
her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths,
and laid Him in a manger, because there
was no room for them in the Inn.
(Luke 2:1-7 NASB)
About 700 years before
Jesus was born, Micah was inspired by the Holy Spirit to prophesy that the
Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. A
similar verse (2Samuel 5:2) refers to King David of Israel; an ancestor of
Jesus. When King Herod asked the Chief
Priests and Scribes where the Messiah was to be born, they may have blended the
scripture. It is clear, however, that
they were convinced that Bethlehem would be the Messiah’s birthplace.
Now after
Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in
the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from
the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
“Where is He who has been born King of
the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and
have come to worship Him.” When Herod the
king heard this, he was troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him. And gathering together all the
chief priests and scribes of the people,
he inquired of them where the Messiah was
to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of
Judea; for this is what has been written by the
prophet:
‘AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH,
ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH;
FOR FROM YOU WILL COME FORTH A RULER
WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’”
(Matthew 2:1-6 NASB)
But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From you One will come forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.
His times of coming forth are from long ago,
From the days of eternity.” (Micah 5:2 NASB) *
Merry Christmas! Jesus is Lord!
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