4th Sunday Advent - Year C

God chose Bethlehem for his Son.  Why?  If Jesus was born in Rome or Alexandria or Athens or Corinth, it would have made more sense from the point of view of spreading His message.  Sophisticated Rome would have been an excellent home base for Christianity.  Jesus would have found a warm welcome in Alexandria because that city was famed for its cultural, educational and commercial offerings. 

Home to Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, wouldn’t Athens have welcomed the wisdom that Jesus had come to impart?  Wouldn’t the thousands who passed through Corinth, who gathered there for business and pleasure, have been interested in Jesus’ words and works?

Given the divine power and purpose, Jesus could have entered into the human situation at any time in any place.  So why Bethlehem? According to the prophet Micah (1st reading, Micah 5:2-5a), Bethlehem was small and insignificant compared to the other clans of Judah.  Perhaps it was chosen because Bethlehem was David’s family home and the place of his anointing as king.  The very name Bethlehem means, “house of bread”, an appropriate title that anticipated the one who would give bread for the life of the world.  Aside from its association with David and the nurturing symbolism of its name, another aspect of Bethlehem’s history suggests its special importance.  The village of Bethlehem was about five miles south of Jerusalem and the main livelihood of the village was shepherding. People on pilgrimage to the Holy City for Passover purchased their lambs in Bethlehem.  How significant that Jesus, the Lamb of God, sacrificed for the salvation of the world was to be born in Bethlehem!

In today’s 2nd reading from Hebrews (10:5-10), the author reminds us of the saving power of Jesus’ sacrifice.  While we celebrate the joy of Jesus’ birth, and while we rejoice in his coming among us – just as did Mary, Elizabeth and John (gospel, Lk. 1:39-45) – our focus must not be solely on the baby of Bethlehem and the peaceful crèche.  Christmas’ greatest gift was nailed to a cross, and through Him all other good gifts have come – life, light forgiveness, peace, justice, hope, faith and joy.