O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light.
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
The Christmas carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem” paints the picture of a sleepy, unassuming town filled with people who didn’t have any idea that a young woman visiting their town was about to have a baby. They had no idea of the hope entering the world through Jesus. They were right there as God entered the world as a human being, but few of them knew how big this small moment was going to be.
You and I look at the birth of Jesus as the most remarkably important moment in history – and it is. Most of us have celebrated the day every year for our entire lives. For the people living in Bethlehem at the time, it was just an ordinary day. But this is the location God chose to bring the Gospel to life. It happened in a quiet, simple way amidst very normal circumstances. The shepherds witnessed an angelic chorus and invitation, but God didn’t use that same kind of fanfare to announce Jesus’ presence to the rest of the world.
The simplicity of Jesus’ birth is an example of how God works in our world – through the small, simple, sometimes mundane things. And throughout his life, Jesus continually used small, simple things to describe what he was doing here – and what he planned to do in the future.
What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches. To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened. (Luke 13:18-19 ESV)
A grain of mustard seed, a pinch of leaven, a baby born in a little, sleepy town – things that start small often become something big.
This Christmas carol beautifully describes this town resting on a quiet night, but it also encourages us to think beyond the geography and look at the significance of the event. That is a good idea for each of us during this season. Look beyond our geography, our schedule, our to-do list, and focus on the thing that looked so small but actually changed the world – changed me and could change you.
O morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth.
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth.
Questions:
- What are some small, even seemingly boring, places where God is working and moving around you?
- How has the birth of Jesus impacted your life?
- How can you focus on the significance of that event this season?
Kelli Jordan (kellijordan.blog)
