Today we look back to Bethlehem, the place the Prophet Micah predicted to be the birthplace of the Messiah. Micah also pointed out that the coming ruler already existed long before His birth in Bethlehem.

Not only had it been prophesied that the Christ would be born in Bethlehem, but it came about. Jesus' birth in Bethlehem is a fact of history. Bethlehem is indeed the physical birthplace of the Messiah. When some of the people responded to the teaching of Jesus, the question was not about His birthplace, but whether or not Jesus was actually the Christ, the descendent of King David, from Bethlehem.

Yes, Bethlehem has a place in history because it is the place where the Christ child was born. When we consider the drama of that first Christmas our thoughts go back to the event that took place in Bethlehem. Apart from being the birthplace of Jesus, Bethlehem would probably have much less significance to you and me. However, it is important because Christ's birth is a fact of history.

Do you have a copy of your birth certificate? When I have taken mission teams to Mexico I have asked each person to bring a copy of their birth certificate or a passport. Sometimes the officials at the border check these documents closely and sometimes they do not. Sue and I even had difficulty with our own children at the Canadian border without their birth certificates several years ago.

Included on that document is the place of your birth, the special place where you were born. We were all born somewhere, right? The place is significant as proof of the fact for us and for Christ. Of course, the fact that we were born is far more important than where it occurred.

What about your spiritual birth? Jesus said, "You must be born again." The babe of Bethlehem grew up to become the Savior of all who truly repent of their sin and ask Jesus to be in control of their lives. This is a spiritual birth, when we willfully choose to personally confess our sin and trust Christ as our Savior. By God's grace you may have been prepared to come to this point in your life.

Where is your spiritual birthplace? Is it your home? Sunday School? Church, VBS? Camp? A Christian Concert? An evangelistic campaign? Though what matters most is that you have experienced spiritual birth, not where it happened, it may be helpful for you to be able to look back to that birthplace. A friend of mine suggests that your spiritual birthplace can be the hitching post of your faith, a specific historical place to look back to when you are in need of assurance that you have indeed been born again.

Bethlehem has a place in history. It is important to us that Jesus was born. Today we also consider another place in history - the Upper Room in Jerusalem where Jesus shared the bread and the cup with His disciples before giving His life to become our sin substitute. Wherever your spiritual birthplace may be Jesus invites all who have experienced new birth through Christ to share the bread and the cup.

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