Matthew 2:1

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, 

During the time Jesus was born, Bethlehem was a small town with a population of between 300 and 1,000 people: Some Bible scholars estimate that Bethlehem had a population of 2,000 to 3,000 people at the time of Jesus’ birth. Archeologist W. F. Albright estimated the population to be around 300. Jesus chose an unpopular town to be born with no fanfare.

Bethlehem was a typical Jewish village. It was so small that it wasn’t listed in the registry of towns mentioned in Joshua 15. Bethlehem is mentioned in the Bible at least 20 times in 11 different books in the Old and New Testaments. It’s best known as the birthplace of Jesus. Prophet Micah declares this in:

Micah 5:2

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,

Ephrathah is a Hebrew word that means “fruitful” and was the former name of Bethlehem. Bethlehem is called the “House of Bread” because its name comes from the Hebrew words bêth (house) and lehem (bread). The name is especially fitting for the birthplace of Jesus Christ, who referred to himself as the “Bread of Life”. 

Here are some other reasons why Bethlehem is known as the “House of Bread”:

Bread symbolizes many things in Christianity, including a gift from God, sharing, and the Word of God. Bethlehem was the birthplace of David, a descendant of Boaz, and was associated with David’s ancestors. The prophet Micah, foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, and the Rabbis and scholars of Israel accepted this prediction. 

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!