One month ago, I spoke at a church in Milford, Kentucky. I had never been to Milford before and wondered what it would be like. My GPS map took me through Cynthiana, Kentucky, and another 20 miles northeast. The terrain grew more hilly, and the road more curvy and narrow. Eventually, Route 19 took me down into a valley where I discovered the tiny community of Milford. I was only able to count seven or eight houses along the roadside.
Since I arrived early, I drove through town to get a sense of the area. As I descended back into the valley from the north, a roadside sign caught my attention. It read, “Congested area.” I chuckled about that warning sign until I arrived at the Milford Christian Church.
The church is the most impressive building in the town. It is well-kept and includes a spacious worship center and gymnasium. Every Sunday morning, more than 200 believers gather there to worship God and give testimony to the transforming power of Jesus Christ. The church is filled with young, vibrant families who are active in sharing the Gospel with others and meeting the needs of the community. (For instance, they recently gathered toys for their annual “Christmas Shop” for children in need, including those in western Kentucky this year who were victims of tornado damage.)
After visiting the church and spending time with their dynamic, young pastor, Michael Cannon, I understood why that sign outside the town warned, “Congested Area.” On Sunday morning and occasionally throughout the week, dozens of cars enter and exit the parking lot of the Milford Christian Church. It is the most active and significant part of the town. That small church is making a big difference.
In the First Century, Bethlehem of Judea was not an impressive town. The estimated population was about 150 people. There were no crossroads, no mineral resources, and no stately temple. Most of those who lived there were simple shepherds who tended to thousands of sheep in the fields nearby — sheep destined to be used as sacrifices in the temple.
Bethlehem was known for two things. First, it was known as the birthplace of King David. I wonder if there was a sign outside town that read, “The proud hometown of King David – Israel’s greatest ruler!” Second, Bethlehem was also known as the place predicted to be where the coming Messiah, the Son of David, was to be born. The prophet Micah had written, “But you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times” (Micah 5:2).
When the Messiah finally arrived on that first Christmas, the little town of Bethlehem became a congested area. Mary and Joseph traveled from Nazareth and discovered it was so crowded there was no room to stay in the local inn. Shepherds arrived to see the Christ child. A host of angels gathered nearby to stand guard, while a handful of wise men traveled from the east to see the one born King of the Jews. Soon after, King Herod was so threatened by the report of a new ruler that a regiment of soldiers stormed into town to search out the baby Jesus and kill Him.
The Son of God could not have entered the world in a more humble environment, yet His arrival in Bethlehem caused quite a stir. That tiny community just outside Jerusalem was a buzz of activity and was overcrowded for a few unusual days. The prophet Simeon warned, “This child will cause the falling and rising of many in Israel…and the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed” (Luke 2:34-35).
If you were a reporter covering the birth of the Messiah, you would have wondered how it could possibly be that such a little town, such unimpressive parents, and such a tiny baby asleep in a manger of all places could cause such congestion! How could anything significant come from such a humble beginning? “But God chooses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things…and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him” (1 Cor. 1:27-28).
The late theologian R.C. Sproul wrote a Christmas devotional titled, “Big King, Little King:”
“Once upon a time, in the tiny land of Palestine, two kings were alive at the same time and at the same place. One of the kings was about seventy years old; the other king was an infant. The big king was evil. The little king was pure. The big king was rich and powerful; the little king was stricken with poverty. The big king lived in an opulent palace; the little king lived in a stable.
The big King’s name was Herod. He was called, ’The Great.’ The little King was named Jesus; He was called “servant.” The big king died and now is remembered as a little king. The little king grew up and became Jesus, the Greatest. He is now the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords.”
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake, he became poor so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
– Merry Christmas from Bob and Judy Russell
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