We have come from God, and inevitably the myths woven by us, though they contain error, will also reflect a splintered fragment of the true light, the eternal truth that is with God. Indeed only by myth-making, only by becoming ‘sub-creator’ and inventing stories, can Man aspire to the state of perfection that he knew before the Fall. Our myths may be misguided, but they steer however shakily towards the true harbour, while materialistic ‘progress’ leads only to a yawning abyss and the Iron Crown of the power of evil.
J.R.R. Tolkien
Recently I finished “Hollywood Heroes: How Your Favorite Movies Reveal God” by Frank and Zach Turek. The authors consider the point made by the quote from Tolkien above. All the great stories inevitably point us to Christ.
But, as the celebration of Christmas Day approaches, let’s consider the truths of the Greatest Story ever told.
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Isaiah 7:14
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
When we sing “O Little Town of Bethlehem” it speaks the truth. Bethlehem was small and insignificant. Located just a few miles from Jerusalem, it was among the smallest of villages in Judah and the greatest boast was that it was the hometown of King David until Micah’s prophecy was fulfilled two thousand years ago or so.
Nearly a decade ago, we visited the city of Bethlehem and two of the sites that memorialize the location of Christ’s birth. Interestingly, the city of Bethlehem is populated primarily by Palestinians now, but while the city is more than a small village today, its major claim to fame (and the major economic force) is the birthplace of Jesus.
Bethlehem is important, because, before Jesus was born, God made many promises about how he would send a Savior- someone who would make things right between God and mankind once and for all and His life would begin in a small, insignificant village in Judah.
Micah’s words were written several hundred years before the birth of Christ, so while the people were looking for the Savior, they had to wait. And wait. Generation after generation. Still, they waited.
God’s promise was fulfilled in due time. Jesus was born exactly, the place and manner described in Scripture, so we can be confident that He will keep every promise He makes.
Still, waiting is part of the process, even today. How many of us are waiting for something we are believing God for today? The message is for us to keep our hope in God alive.