Advent Challenge Day 22
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Read Together
Micah 5:2-5a & John 6:35
Light four candles and say together
Come, O Flower of Jesse's stem.*
Reflection
The scene is set. A little town called Bethlehem. Even 700 years before Christ's birth, this quiet, ancient place was being set aside for the most momentous yet unassuming birth in history.
In Hebrew, the name "Bethlehem" means "House of Bread". Bread itself is threaded all throughout Scripture, mentioned at least 492 times. And so, Bethlehem, literally “Bread House”, is the fulcrum tying all of Scripture to the birth of the Bread of Life, Jesus. In this place-of-bread comes the very breath of God's plan for provision, forgiveness, life and salvation. The plan set in motion by God from the very beginning is literally taking shape, moving through our world, starting in Bethlehem.
God's plan — Jesus — the Bread of Life, offers us life and salvation. Back in the second book of the Bible, Exodus, God's people, the Israelites were enslaved to the Egyptians. They had been crying out to God for rescue, and finally, God was providing them with a way out. But they had to leave fast. "So the people took their dough before it was leavened, with their kneading bowls wrapped up in their clothes on their shoulders." (Exodus 12:34). Their bread didn't have time to rise, and that is why unleavened bread is still used to celebrate Passover in remembrance of this rescue from out under Pharoah. It was Passover that Jesus was celebrating with his disciples during The Last Supper which instituted Holy Communion for Christians. Like that rescue in Egypt, Jesus saves and offers new life. Like the bread broken, Jesus's body on the cross changed our entire relationship with life and death as He shares His victory with us.
God's plan — Jesus — the Bread of Life, offers us provision. After escaping Egypt, those same Israelites wandered a desert for 40 years before finally entering the land promised to them. They were hungry and exhausted, so in Exodus 16 we witness God raining down bread (manna) from heaven, sustaining them daily throughout their entire journey. When we pray and ask "Give us this daily bread," we are trusting God to provide what we need to see us through our wandering journey.
God's plan — Jesus — the Bread of Life, offers us forgiveness. Here, in Bethlehem, we find the nativity; The birth of new life. Jesus, the Bread of Life, offers us new lives free from the chains of our sinful pasts. In Him is forgiveness for our sins and the invitation to be made new. This forgiveness sustains us so we can spiritually live.
Today we start lighting the fourth candle on our wreath. We've filled our seasons with Hope, Joy, and Peace. As our hearts fill with these gifts, we can begin to extend them outward, loving and lighting up the world around us with these same gifts that God has granted us. We can provide for others, forgive them, feed them, and break bread with them. Advent isn't only about the good feelings Christmas can offer us, it is about the way we can share it with others as we recognize that our needs have been met, and we have found forgiveness and new life in Christ.
Talk About
- Do you find yourself hungrier for life, salvation, provision, or forgiveness today? Go to God hungry today, expecting that He can satisfy you.
Pray Together
O Flower of Jesse's stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.*
Amen.
Put it in Action
Bake a Christmas treat for someone this week.
* During the final days of Advent, we will pray seven ancient prayers based on biblical prophesies about Jesus called the O Antiphons. Each prayer begins by addressing Jesus with one of the titles used for Him in Scripture.