By No Means the Least

Like Bethlehem, out of your life will come surprise blessings.

Feeling small? Remember Bethlehem.

Feeling insignificant? Remember the place of Jesus’ birth.

How big was Bethlehem?

Think Chugwater, Wyoming, population 216.

Think of Barney Fife’s domain – Mayberry, North Carolina.

If God had made His grand entrance just a few miles northwest,

In Jerusalem,

The whole religious world would have taken note.

But, instead, the baby was born in Chugwater.

If you feel like an unlikely candidate for God’s grace to sprout,

Remember little Bethlehem.

And a little feeding trough.

I bless you this Christmas Eve with Micah’s prophetic words,

“You are by no means the least…”

God specializes in bringing forth blessings from unlikely locations.

If you feel weak, or forgotten or unnoticed,

Good—you’re quite the candidate

* * *

Today’s Blessing is Inspired By:

Matthew 2:5–6 (ESV) — 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”

No one would have thought God would bring the Messiah out of Bethlehem. But, of course, no one would have thought He’d save the world through a cross. And that’s the Gospel!