But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel
As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, I always love to have food on the table that is a reminder of the event and connected to the biblical
teachings.
Barley - barley was grown in the fields near Bethlehem. Naomi and ruth returned to Bethlehem during the barley harvest.
A good Bible reading during this holiday celebration is the story of Ruth. Takeaway lessons include - listening to God's voice may take us to places beyond our home to see God at work. Ruth followed a bitter woman to become part of the Davidic lineage.
What way can you serve barley this
holiday?
Wheat - wheat was/is also grown in the fields near Bethlehem. Making freshly milled bread is not only satisfying nutritionally but also spiritually.
Bethlehem means house of bread. In John we read about Jesus being the bread of life. In fact, many elements in the birth story foreshadowed who Jesus is....
- “I am the bread of life” Bethlehem - house of bread
- “I am the light of the world” -
bright star
- “I am the door” - came to dwell with us and the invitation begins
- “I am the good shepherd” - shepherds were first to come
- “I am the resurrection and the life” - without the birth there would be no death for us to have the resurrection and life.
- “I am the way, truth, and life” - God sent His son as the bridegroom must travel to his bride. God sent His son to us, traveled to earth as a human to claim
his bride.
- “I am the true vine” - Bethlehem Ephrathah, the second word, Ephrathah means fruitful, it was the two elements of the Lord's supper to come - the bread and the wine.
It is a blessing the entire world comes together one day of the year to celebrate the birth of our Savior.
I pray you see this celebration as what it really is:
Seeing Jesus as Lord
Seeing God as our all provider
See the power of the Holy Spirit at work in
your life.
Now for some fun trivia:
- How did Mary travel to Bethlehem - can you back it up with Scripture?
- Who was the first gentile to worship Jesus?
- How was the manger crafted?
- What foods could Mary and Joseph possibly eat on their journey? Ok, disclosure here, this is not in the Bible as written, but I have a great roasted wheat recipe in my Healthy Treasures Cookbook :)
- Where did the cloths come from to wrap baby lambs and then
baby Jesus? Not in the Bible, but an interesting study (hint - high priest)
- Did they have chocolate in Bethlehem? Ok, I hate to leave chocolate out of any story :).
- Do you know Jesus personally? If not, what are you waiting for?
