Do you know why the city where David was born is so well known? Many Bible characters were born, lived, or were buried there.
The first time it shows up in the Bible is to mention that Rachel, Jacob’s
wife, died and was buried there. At that time, Bethlehem was known as «Ephrathah.»
However, they later changed its name to «Bethlehem,» which means .»house of bread,» and to distinguish it from another Bethlehem that be longed to the tribe of Zebulun, they called it Bethlehem of Judah or Bethlehem Ephrathah.
Naomi and her family lived in Bethlehem, as did a man named Boaz. If you don’t know their story, ask an adult to tell it to you, or read it on your own in the Bible, in the book of Ruth.
Bethlehem is also known as «The City of David» because King David was born there. However, Bethlehem is much better known because Jesus was born there. lt was in the hills of Bethlehem that the angels announced to the shepherds that the Savior was born, and the wise men from the east arrived at Bethlehem guided by a star to worship Him.
Now, I have to tell you that Jesus is a descendant of Rachel, Boaz, and King David. All of them were from the tribe of Judah, just like Jesus. Many years before Jesuswas born, the prophets had already prophesied that He would be born in Bethlehem and that He would be from the tribe of Judah.
Don’t you think that’s amazing?
Locate the city of Bethlehem on a map and find out how many miles it is from Jerusalem.
Then write in your Prayer Journal what you have learned about this city, and thank Jesus for coming to save us.