Where is Bethlehem?

QUESTION: Where is Bethlehem?

ANSWER:

Where is Bethlehem? Have you ever heard the song around Christmas time, "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and wondered where is Bethlehem?

Bethlehem is a small quiet town geographically located about 5 or 6 miles due south of Jerusalem. The town is located on a ridge between two mountain peaks. In Hebrew, Bethlehem means "house of bread."

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was born in Bethlehem. Matthew 2:1 states: "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea..."

John 6:48 tells us that Jesus said, "I am the bread of life." Isn't it fitting that the bread of life was born in the town named the "house of bread"?

In Old Testament times, Bethlehem was called "Ephrathah." If you love to dig for things, go back into the book of Genesis and you will find that Jacob buried Rachel there. In the book of Ruth, we learn that Boaz married Ruth in Bethlehem and they lived there. One of the most notable residents from the Old Testament is King David. King David is in the lineage of Jesus.

Most people only know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. However, it is a city which holds rich history. We should know that God does not do anything without intention. In Matthew 1, we see that Jacob, Boaz, Ruth, and David are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. Bethlehem, although obscure, was the home of some of the family line of Jesus.

Next time when you sing "O Little Town of Bethlehem," think not only of Jesus, but think of all the history this town holds.