John 6:51

In the Hebrew language, Bethlehem means “house of bread.” How fitting that God sent Jesus, the Bread of Life, to become the provision for all humanity there!

Wheatfields abounded in Judea. The threshing floors at Bethlehem provided a place where the wheat was separated from the chaff, the seed was ground into flour, and the flour made into bread.

In the Old Testament, Naomi returned to Bethlehem. Her family had escaped the Judean famine by going to Moab. While there, her husband and sons died, leaving her with no means of support. She heard that God had blessed His people with bread again, so she and her daughter-in-law, Ruth, went back.

While gleaning in Boaz’s fields, Ruth met her kinsman-redeemer. He covered her with his cloak and welcomed her into his family. She came to Bethlehem poor, alone, and outside the promises of God. Boaz made her his bride, brought her into the covenant, and enriched her life in every way.

The world was shaken when the Seed of Heaven fell to the threshing floors of Bethlehem. Our Kinsman Redeemer came to wrap us in His robe of righteousness, call us His bride, and extend His covenant to make us heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus. Through the Bread of Life, we will never hunger again.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May you never lose the wonder of the unspeakable love that sent God’s Son from heaven to earth. Allow that Gift to transform your life as you live loved in this blessed season!