She Reads Truth: EmmanuelSample

The Glory of Little Bethlehem is Foretold By the Prophet Micah

Reflection

The tiny town of Bethlehem has a special place in the hearts of believers because in it lay the manger that ushered forth our Jesus - the very place our Savior came to us in a barn with livestock, starlight and swaddling clothes.

Did you know that the word “Bethlehem” means “House of Bread”?

Jesus  - our Great Provision - was born in a house of provision. He is to us what the manna in the wilderness was to the Israelites. Think of it - He is our Bread from Heaven, the Daily Bread we are told to hunger solely after. And by eating of His body, by consuming His provision, we not only find satisfaction for today, but we have life eternal!

He is enough. And that is the point.

You may remember the story of Naomi and Ruth. (Ruth married Boaz, the son of Rahab. She was also the great-grandmother of King David.) Near the beginning of their recorded story, following the death of Naomi’s husband and sons and Ruth’s sworn loyalty to her mother-in-law, they returned from Moab to none other than that same tiny town of Bethlehem, their hometown.

Though Naomi is now bitter and empty, she reports that when she first left Bethlehem, she “went away full.” And their return to their home town has them there just in time for the barley harvest. Appropriately, she came hungry to the House of Bread.

God provided daily bread for the Israelites. Naomi found a fullness at the House of Bread. And Micah prepared Israel some 2,700 years ago for how God would use this blessed place of provision to host the incarnation of our Great Provision, who can feed us today and give us a fullness only He can offer.

Go to Him hungry, sisters! Go to Him expectant that you will walk away full. Let the Word of God and the Bread of Life be your daily manna. He is enough.

Prayer

Father, I come to you today like Naomi - hungry, empty. We are in need of so much more than bread. We need mercy. We need life. Thank you for sending your Son for me - knowing I would need this today, knowing that I would be here now. Thank you for providing grace for today when you sent your son more than 2000 years ago. Fill me with an everlasting fullness. Amen.

Advent Action

Consider baking a loaf of bread today. As you knead the dough, as the aroma fills your home, and as you taste it, talk to God about what it means for Him to be your Daily Bread.

Click the link to join the conversation with the She Reads Truth community!