NATIVE CAROLS – బెత్లహేము – BETHLEHEM

Let us continue to meditate on the Telugu Christmas carol “మన యేసు” – Our Jesus. The refrain goes…
– “మన యేసు బెత్లహేములో, చిన్న పశుల పాకలో పుట్టెన్”
When translated it means, “Our Jesus is born in a small cattle shed [stable] in Bethlehem.

Let us look at the little town of బెత్లహేము – Bethlehem, for our meditation this morning. Prophet Micah prophesied the place of Jesus’ birth, about 700 BC, that is, 700 years before the birth of the Saviour.
– “2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” – Micah 5:2
– “​1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered…4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.” – Luke 2:1-5

Bethlehem is about 10 kilometres south of Jerusalem. Bethlehem is the place where David, the greatest king of Israel was born. Yet, it is called “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are LITTLE among the thousands of Judah…” However, when the Saviour, who came to take away the sins of the whole world, was born in Bethlehem, it became the most famous town, not only in whole of Israel, but the entire world. What a transformation!!!

We may be little and insignificant. No one may ever have taken note of us. However, the Redeemer cares for such “tiny” and “insignificant” people. He looks at the heart, and not the outward appearances. Would we be willing to welcome Him? Let me quote Max Lucado, who eloquently puts it across…
– “Maybe your life resembles a Bethlehem stable. Crude in some spots, smelly in others. Not much glamour. Not always neat. People in your circle remind you of stable animals: grazing like sheep, stubborn like donkeys, and that cow in the corner looks a lot like the fellow next door. You, like Joseph, knocked on the innkeeper’s door. But you were too late. Or too old, sick, dull, damaged, poor, or peculiar. You know the sound of a slamming door.”

May be our lives are like this little and insignificant town of Bethlehem. We need not worry. The LORD can transform anyone. Whatever our opinion about ourself. Whatever our feelings about our significance and worth. Whoever we may be, the Saviour, the LORD Jesus, the God of all creation is interested to know us, and be part of our life, and to transform us. How wonderful it is, isn’t it? Would we be willing to give ourselves to God? It is worth it dear friend. It would be, the best thing ever, done by us. May the LORD help us, to give ourselves as we are, fully and wholly to the Redeemer, to be used as He wishes, for His glory. Even so the LORD help us.