Bethlehem has become more of a bustling city in the last 100 years. The suburbs still tell us of the area Joseph guided Mary towards.
Caesar Augustus received backing because he was such an accountant and tax official. It's amazing Caesar Augustus didn't send the men into Jerusalem to be counted for tax purposes. Augustus was so sure of his Empire, he sent the tribes to their original cities to be counted in the back water provinces. Rome considered Judea to be a suburb of Syria. And Bethlehem... so rural...
Micah 5:2
But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.
Bethlehem had been forsaken by the Line of David. Too rural. Forsaken - just like the Throne of Judea. In fact there is prophecy that when the King of Israel begins representing themselves with images...the throne would be overthrown.
.
Mary made comment on this attitude and this wealth.
Luke 1
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
Jesus would deny Herod a requested visit calling Herod a shrewd and showy fox.
Yet No One has forgotten the Shepherd's Field
Or the Stables of Bethlehem cut into the hills.
Psalm 30
A Psalm of David. A song at the dedication of the Temple.
Merry Christmas, Jesus is the Temple of His Father.
I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up
and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
3 O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.
A young pregnant girl travels 70 miles to the home of Elizabeth and Zechariah. Was her family hoping for the safety of the journey?
4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.
5 For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
6 As for me, I said in my prosperity,
“I shall never be moved.”
7 By your favor, O Lord,
you made my mountain stand strong;
you hid your face;
I was dismayed.
Nazareth lived as the Jews lived. If a family had been in one area, each generation added on to the house and lived with family. Mary lived with her family and was betrothed to the Line of David. She could anticipate a life of hard work - but this was an advantageous match.
8 To you, O Lord, I cry,
and to the Lord I plead for mercy:
9 “What profit is there in my death,
if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it tell of your faithfulness?
10 Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me!
O Lord, be my helper!”
11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
you have loosed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness
12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
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