By Guest Writer
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-52, Isaiah 9:2-7, Galatians 4:4-5
Only our oldest child, Lincoln, was born back when my husband and I lived in Wisconsin. Then we moved west, and years later our younger two were born in California, the state we’ve now lived in for over a decade. But Lincoln loves that his Wisconsin birth makes him unique within our family and among his California friends.
The places we were born show up on our birth certificates, passports, and a few other legal documents. But in general, for most of us, our cities of birth don’t affect our daily lives much unless we are refugees or immigrants seeking citizenship in a new country.
It may have us wondering: Why does it matter that Jesus was born in Bethlehem? Why does Luke devote papyrus and ink to emphasizing this fact?
First, there were many prophecies about Jesus. He would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). He would be a prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15). And He would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).
Christ’s birth in the city of Bethlehem matters not just because it fulfilled an ancient prophecy but also because it was a sign of His kingship. His genealogy included King David, and Bethlehem was commonly known as the “city of David.”
Yet in contrast to the rulers of our world who so often seek power for themselves, Luke tells us that in the ancient city of David, a Savior was born. Not a king who would bring glory to himself. Not a bloodthirsty king. Not even a king like David, a “man after God’s own heart” who nevertheless ended up committing some very egregious sins.
No, the Savior born in Bethlehem was “born for you” (Luke 2:11). Though He is the Messiah, meaning “anointed” or “chosen one,” He brought His power to heal, draw together, and save. He arrived not in a golden palace but in a manger. When He entered Jerusalem three decades later, He would do so on the back of a donkey, not a war horse.
Jesus is a different kind of king altogether.
A few months ago, our family put up a Little Free Library in front of our house. You may have seen these—small cabinets filled with reading material, often sporting a sign that says “Take a book, leave a book.” Soon after it was put up, I noticed one of the children from our street looking longingly at the books. When she saw me, she quickly closed the library cabinet’s door, looking ashamed.
“Wait!” I called out to her, coming down our front sidewalk. “These books are free!” She hesitated. I opened the library door back up and said, “These books are for you.” Immediately she smiled and took one out.
In a world where nothing is free and so many are out for their own power or influence or financial gain, a Savior came to us, born in the city of David. Why?
For you.
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