Pastor's Corner

His Birth Put Bethlehem on the map

“Bethlehem Ephrathra, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel” (Micah5:2)

If it hadn’t be been for Jesus’ birth, Bethlehem (meaning: House of Bread) would probably not be one of the stops on a guided tour of Israel. If it hadn’t been for Christmas, most tour groups would probably just pass right by this on their way to Jerusalem But the good news is that Christmas did happen .......Jesus was born.

And Bethlehem has become firmly established as one of the most well-known tourist and spiritual retreat centre in Israel today. What happened to Bethlehem is in many ways what happens to each of us because of the birth of Christ. Before Christ entered into our lives, we, too, might have been regarded as insignificant .... small in the midst of so many clans of people, and at least in the kingdom because of sin. But when Christ was born in each one of us, we became firmly established in the kingdom of God. His life made our life great. And his light within us now attracts people to his glory. As the words of Luke 2 are read this year, and we re-visit Bethlehem in our minds, let us remember all that Christ did to put Bethlehem on the map, and all that Christ is doing in and through us to make God’s love known to the world.

Like Mary, we have received great value because of our relationship to our Lord Jesus Christ. It was for us that Jesus came into the world as Mary’s child. For us Christ gave his life on the cross and rose from the dead…. And because of all these we have eternal share in his greatness. May God’s presence fill our heart, our home and may the birth of the Christ-child be a sustaining strength throughout this festive season and the days to come. May we all be richly blessed by this wonderful gift of Christ, our Hope.

On behalf of St. Ansgar, I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Glædlig Jul, Frohe Weihnacht, Happy Hanukkah, & Joyeux Noël. Have a Blessed and prosperous New Year.

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Samuel King-Kabu

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St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church - Montreal