The Little Town of Bethlehem: Where a Big Story Began!

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Discover the amazing story of Bethlehem, the special town where Jesus was born! Learn about its history, what it means, and what it's like today, all in simple words for kids.

Discover Micah's 700 year old prophecy about Jesus' birthplace

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Introduction to Bethlehem 

Hello there, children! Have you ever heard of a town that's super, super old and really, really special? Well, get ready to learn about a place called Bethlehem! It's a small town with a huge story, especially for Christians all around the world.

Where in the World is Bethlehem?

Look at the map of a country called Israel, which is in North Africa, although some say the Middle East. If you zoom in, you'd find Bethlehem! It's nestled among some hills, not too far from a big city called Jerusalem. In Jesus' time, it was six Roman miles south of Jerusalem. 

Map of Bethlehem in Bible times

What Does "Bethlehem" Even Mean?

The name "Bethlehem" is pretty cool! It actually means "House of Bread". Isn't that interesting? Some people think it's because the area was known for growing lots of wheat, which we use to make bread. 

Jesus, who was born there, called Himself the "Bread of Life," a secret code to tell us that He feeds us with the Word of God!

Bethlehem Is A Very Old Historic and Biblical Town

Bethlehem isn't a new town that just popped up. Oh no! It's been around for thousands and thousands of years. Even before Jesus was born, it was an important place. Lots of ancient people lived there.

Let's dive back into Bethlehem's incredible past, even before baby Jesus arrived! It's like a history book come to life, filled with amazing people and stories right from the Bible.

A Sad Farewell Near Bethlehem (Rachel's Death)

Our first story takes us way, way back to a very long journey. Jacob, a very important person in the Bible, was traveling with his family. He was born 2108 years after Adam's creation. His beloved wife, Rachel, passed away during childbirth. She was buried right on the road, very close to Bethlehem.

The Bible tells us about this sad moment in Genesis 35:19: "So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem)."

So, even long, long ago, Bethlehem was a recognizable place, even if it was a sad one for Jacob's family.

Rachel's tomb today in Israel

A Story of Love and Loyalty (Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz)

Now, let's fast forward a bit to another amazing story, this one full of kindness and love! It's about a woman named Naomi and her daughter-in-law, Ruth. Naomi was from Bethlehem, but she had gone away to Moab with her husband and two sons during a famine. She returned with only Ruth, because all of her relatives had died in Moab. Ruth and Naomi were very poor when they got to Bethlehem.

Ruth went to work in the fields, picking up leftover grain to help feed herself and Naomi.  She ended up in the fields of a kind and wealthy man named Boaz! He saw how hard and loyal Ruth was, especially to Naomi, and he was very impressed.

The book of Ruth tells us all about their amazing story. For example, in Ruth 2:3, it says: "So she went out and began to glean in the fields behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek."

Boaz ended up marrying Ruth, and they had a baby boy! This part is super important because King David came from their family...

The Family Tree to a King! (David's Family Line)

Guess what? That baby boy of Ruth and Boaz, named Obed, grew up and had a son, Jesse. And Jesse had a son named David! That's right, the very same King David who fought Goliath and became a mighty king of Israel!

The Bible shows us this special family tree in Ruth 4:21-22: "Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David."

Isn't that incredible? Bethlehem was where this amazing family started, leading right up to a king!

The City of a Shepherd Boy Who Became King (David's Birthplace)

And because David's family lived in Bethlehem, it means that David himself was born there! He grew up in Bethlehem, probably herding sheep in the fields around the town, just like a regular shepherd boy.

The Bible calls Bethlehem "the city of David" because of him:

So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David - 2Samuel 5:9.

So, Bethlehem wasn't just where Jesus was born, it was also where King David, a hero and an ancestor of Jesus, was born and grew up! It's like a special family home for kings and the Son of God!

So you see, Bethlehem has been a really important place for a very, very long time, filled with stories of brave people, kindness, and incredible family connections, all leading up to that very first Christmas night!

Bethlehem's Most Important Night Ever!

The biggest reason Bethlehem is so famous is because it's where Jesus was born! Remember the story of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem? They couldn't find a room anywhere because the town was so busy, so Jesus was born in a stable, with animals all around him.

Angels sang, shepherds came to visit, and even wise men from far-off lands followed a bright star to find baby Jesus. It was a truly magical and holy night!

But wait, there's more! Another important person from the Bible, King David, who fought the giant Goliath, was also from Bethlehem! So it's not just Jesus's birthplace, but also a place where a mighty king grew up.

Bethlehem Today

What's Bethlehem like now? Well, it's still a bustling town! People live and work there, just like in any other town. There are churches, markets, and schools. Many people who live there today are Christians, and they are very happy with their town's special history.

One of the most famous places in Bethlehem is called the Church of the Nativity. This amazing church was built right over the spot where people believe Jesus was born! Inside, it's beautiful and solemn, and you can feel how special the place is.

Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

Who lives in Bethlehem today?

Today, the people who live in Bethlehem are Palestinians. Here is a simple breakdown of who the "natives" or locals are today:

Two Main Groups

Most of the people in Bethlehem are Palestinians, and they generally belong to two different religions:

• Arab Muslims: Today, the majority of the people living in Bethlehem are Muslim. They lived there beginning around 638 years after Christ was born.

• Arab Christians: There is a community of Arab Christians living in Bethlehem!

What is Life Like for The People Living In Bethlehem Today?

• Living Together: In the center of town, you can see the Church of the Nativity (for Christians) and the Mosque of Omar (for Muslims) standing right across from each other in a place called Manger Square.⁵

• A Shrinking Family: About 70 years ago), almost everyone in Bethlehem was Christian. Today, many Christians have moved to other countries to find jobs or because life in the area can be difficult. Now, Christians make up about 10% to 12% of the city.⁷

• The Mayor: Even though there are more Muslims than Christians now, there is a special rule in Bethlehem: the Mayor must always be a Christian! This helps the town keep its special identity as the birthplace of Jesus.

Did You Know?

The people of Bethlehem are famous for their handicrafts. Many local families make beautiful carvings out of olive wood from the trees that grow on the hills nearby. This is one way they keep their traditions alive and share the story of their town with visitors from all over the world.

Bethlehem handicraft

Bethlehem Holds A Special Place in Our Hearts

Bethlehem might be a small town on a map, but it holds a super big and important story for many people around the world. It's a place that reminds us of love, hope, and the birth of someone who changed the world forever.

So, the next time you hear about Bethlehem, you'll know it's not just a town, but the location of the incredible birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus!