Scriptures: Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:5-6, Luke 2:1-3, John 1:1

What would you consider to be the greatest city in the world? New York? London? Tokyo? Rome? Sydney? Among the Christ-follower's greatest city listing must be the small city of Bethlehem, birthplace of Jesus Christ. In this holiday-themed message, Dr. Merritt uses the backdrop of the song, "O Little Town of Bethlehem" to talk about the significance of Bethlehem as Jesus' birthplace. Far from a random city that just happened to be the closest place to stop when Mary came due, Bethlehem was chosen by God for specific reasons. Explore the wonderful prophecy that accompanies this city--one you are sure to find is among the greatest on earth.

"It was an ancient prophet, named Micah, that first clued us in that there was going to be something special, even divinely unique about this sleepy little town just outside of Jerusalem. Everything you read about the Christmas story in Luke 2 was announced by a Prophet, named Micah, seven and one-half centuries before. In fact, how this birth even came about in this little city is nothing short of amazing." --Dr. Merritt

Keywords: Jesus, birth, Christmas, songs, Savior, carols, music, Christ, Mary, Joseph, holidays, Micah, Bethlehem Ephrathah, prophecy, Nazareth, census, Roman Empire, Caesar Augustus, Quirinius, Syria, Judah, Immanuel, fruitfulness, significance