Bethlehem

Scripture             Luke 2:1-7, Micah 5:2-5a, John 7:42   
Focus Verse        Luke 2:4
Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.

Mary and Joseph traveled 90 miles to the city of Joseph’s ancestors, south along the flatlands of the Jordan River, then west over the hills surrounding Jerusalem, and on into Bethlehem.

Emperor Augustus chose perhaps the worst time to call for a census in the life of a woman, 9 months pregnant!  It could have taken them 5 days to travel but may have taken as long as 10 days in the rough terrain of that area as Mary would need to rest at times.  Some ancient sources say Mary rode on a donkey, but others do not mention this luxury. 

Why Bethlehem?  Micah the prophet wrote about a Messiah who would be born in Bethlehem, again applicable to his own time but we see a foreshadowing of Christ.  Jesus needed to be born in Bethlehem, as the home of Joseph’s ancestral family for he was a son of David.  And so, he was. 

Reflection:  Micah says the Messiah will be one of peace.  What does peace mean to you and where do you find it?

Is there any other song to listen to today?  If music is a spiritual pathway for you, listen to this arrangement of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" arranged by Dan Forrest.  

Prayer: Breathing “The Jesus Prayer”       
Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places.  You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing.  And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ...