December 14 – O Little Town of Bethlehem, Beginnings

Read the rest of the series: December 1 | December 2 | December 3 | December 4 | December 5 | December 6 | December 7 | December 8 | December 9 | December 10 | December 11 | December 12 | December 13 | December 15 | December 16 | December 19 | December 25

They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For from you will come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ” – ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

We continue in the report and testimony of the documented birth of Jesus. The Holy Ghost, the Spirit of truth, chose and moved primarily on Matthew and Luke. I am often reminded of how God sees the beginning of a thing and the value He places on it—the importance. Ern Baxter, a wonderful mentor, once told me this, “The beginning of a thing determines its end.” As in Genesis, “In the beginning GOD ….” We see Bethlehem in this prophecy and the truth concerning its value. It is not viewed as little or the least of the cities of Judah.

For who has shown contempt for the day of small things? – Zechariah‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NASB2020‬

Man and his flesh want to start with grandeur and great importance in their own eyes. He makes of himself a reputation motivated by powerful ambition and self-gratification. Here we see God is not impressed nor does He need great fanfare when He moves in the beginning of something. He begins with one,

For the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth, so that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will have wars. – ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭9‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

Starting with one angel, one virgin, one barren couple, one betrothed man, and one town. All, by no means the least, but His beginnings. He needs not many or few, nor an advantage or fleshly help, nor man’s thoughts or plans. He simply looks for a heart that is completely given to Him.

When I was a summer missionary in my youth, we did backyard Bible Clubs. A song we sang with the children was, “All your heart, All your heart, Jesus wants to live in all your heart.” The smallest of all His beginnings is the heart of man, where His utmost desire to is dwell and make His abode.

May our hearts be completely given to Him. May we see what beginnings He brings about and the great things He has done and is going to do.

Glory to God in the Highest!

-Keith Curlee