Notes of Faith December 8, 2025
O Little Town
Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).
Genesis 35:19
The first biblical mention of Bethlehem is a sorrowful one. Genesis 35 says that Rachel died near there. Rachel was beloved by her husband, Jacob, and he was anguished when she perished during a difficult childbirth. With her final breath, she named her child Ben-Oni, which means “Son of My Sorrow.” But Jacob changed his name to Benjamin, which means “Son of My Right Hand.” Jacob set a monument over her grave, and pious Jews visit the site to this day.
Today we find delight in visualizing our Lord’s birth town. We build models of it on the stages of churches and in public parks. It’s become an evocative scene for the world’s greatest painters, and we love to sing about the “little town of Bethlehem” where “in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light.”
It’s the Lord Jesus who eases our sorrows and lifts our spirits. His birth became the means by which He entered the human family to “preach good tidings to the poor” and “to heal the brokenhearted” (Isaiah 61:1). Do you have a zone of sorrow in your life? Ask the Lord Jesus Christ to give you comfort, understanding, healing, and happiness today.
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord, Emmanuel!
Phillips Brooks
Isa 61:1-3
61 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
Because the Lord has anointed me
To bring good news to the afflicted;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives
And freedom to prisoners;
2 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 To grant those who mourn in Zion,
Giving them a garland instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.
So they will be called oaks of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem! God with us! He has always been with mankind but since His coming, taking on flesh, giving His life as the only perfect sacrifice for our sin, we have a Lord and Savior who reconciles us to God, makes us a friend of God when previously we were enemies. Faith in Jesus, His work, death, burial and resurrection bring glory to God and eternal life to man. Yes, we praise the Father for sending His Son and praise the Son for doing ALL the will of His Father, that we might be saved now, and live in the house of the Lord forever!
Pastor Dale