The village of Bethlehem is perhaps the most important place in human history. It is where salvation was born. Bethlehem is first mentioned in Genesis and it is the birthplace of Benjamin. The book of Micah tells us that Bethlehem will be the birthplace of the Savior. When Herod inquired of the rulers of Israel where this King of the Jews was to be born, they confirmed that Bethlehem had been named by the prophet Micah as the location where the Messiah would enter this world. The book of Isaiah is filled with references to the Savior and the Gospels confirm that Christ fulfilled everything the prophets spoke about the Him.

Christ was very clear about His purpose. While John 3:16 is one of the most quoted Scriptures, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life”, it is the seventeenth verse where John clearly states, “God did not send His son to judge the world, but through Christ the world would be saved.” We are already condemned, but a pardon awaits those who place their trust in Jesus Christ. That’s why He came.