Daily Devotions

Bread was a food staple that even the poorest could have. It sustained life during the times of the Old Testament. God was the source of bread, as he demonstrated by giving the Children of Israel manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16).

In the New Testament, Jesus reveals himself as the true source of life and calls himself the “bread of life” (John 6:35) because the one who believes in and depends on him will live forever.

Significantly, Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem. The literal meaning for the name Bethlehem is “The House of Bread.” 

-   Jesus was not born in the house of royalty, or the house of riches, or the house of celebrity.

• Jesus was not born in Jerusalem, or in Rome, or in Athens or Alexandria.
• Jesus was not born in any political, commercial, cultural, educational, or socially significant city of the day.

A story is told that towards the end of world war 2 where the Allied armies had gathered up many hungry orphans and they were placed in camps where they were well fed. Despite excellent care, they slept poorly. They seemed nervous and afraid. Finally, a psychologist came up with the solution.

Each child was given a piece of bread to hold after he was put to bed. This particular piece of bread was just to be held—not eaten. The piece of bread produced wonderful results. The children went to bed knowing instinctively they would have food to eat the next day. That guarantee gave the children a restful and contented night of sleep.

The bread was their comfort. Isaiah prophesying the coming of the Messiah said, “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.”

Later Micah, the Old Testament prophet, foretold the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, he emphasised its lack of significance to the world. “O Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are but a small Judean village, yet you will be the birthplace of my King who is alive from everlasting ages past!” (Micah 5:2)

May we see clearly that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, "The House of Bread” as the “bread of Life.”

God, our hope, As we await the celebration of your birth, fill us with anticipation and prepare us by your Spirit. Be the first thought in our hearts and help us to be conscious of your direction. Strengthen us for service, Nourish us with the bread of life, Transform us for mission. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life. Amen