12/18/2025
Exodus 12: 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: 6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. 7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
This is the lamb described in Exodus as the lamb whose blood covered the doorway, protecting the Israelites from the last plague to strike Egypt before their liberation from Egyptian slavery. Later, two lambs without blemish were to be offered as sacrifices daily (Numbers 28: 3 And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering. 4 The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even; 5And a tenth part of an ephah of flour for a meat offering, mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil. ).
Bethlehem. Bethlehem was a small, insignificant town about six miles south of Jerusalem. It was also known as "the city of David" because David lived there and was anointed king there. Here, because of its proximity to the temple at Jerusalem, shepherds raised sheep for sacrifice at the temple. These were the only things noteworthy about Bethlehem at the time Jesus was born.
However, God did not forget Bethlehem. About seven hundred years before Jesuswas born, God told Micah of the Messiah's birth there. Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Bethlehem comes from the Hebrew Beit Lehem, meaning "house of bread." Ephratah means "fruitful.").
People would come to Bethlehem, acquire an unblemished lamb, wrap it in cloth to prevent it from becoming blemished, and take it to Jerusalem to be sacrificed. Therefore, it was no coincidence that Jesus would be born there and wrapped in swaddling clothes-Jesus who would be referred to later as "the Lamb of God." It also was no coincidence that Jesus would also be called the "Bread of Life," as He would be born in the "house of bread." And, Jesus would become fruitful during His ministry. He would establish the church which would become fruitful.
But, Jesus was the most important person in history because He became our sin sacrifice. He sacrificed Himself on the cross to take away our sin (Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.). There is no other name by which we can be saved. Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which i become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
God loved us so much that He sent His Son to save us. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
And, if we believe in our hearts that Jesus died and rose from the dead, we will be given eternal life as children of God. John 1:12 But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.
Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. Without Him, we are lost, destined to perish. But because of Jesus we are found and safe in God's hands. THAT is worth celebrating. Thank You, Lord, for Your love. And, thank You Jesus for Your offer of salvation. Amen.
Music video by Nat King Cole performing O Little Town Of Bethlehem (Lyric Video). © 2020 Capitol Records, LLCFollow Nat King Cole: ➣Facebook: https://faceboo...
