The Bethlehem Story: Mission and Justice in the Margins of the World

Jesus was born in Bethlehem but why Bethlehem? Why should God purpose to become man somewhere so marginal so insignificant? This book follows the unfolding story of Bethlehem through the Bible from the death of Rachel to the birth of Jesus uniquely combining four perspectives: a) the Bible as one developing story b) the Bible as a Middle Eastern book c) insights from contemporary Palestinians from Bethlehem and d) what this means for mission. Suffering Rachel refugee Rahab vulnerable Ruth overlooked David all have a connection with Bethlehem. If Bethlehem shelters refugees then so must we. If Bethlehem welcomes strangers so must we. If Bethlehem weeps at injustice and takes a stand against empire so must we. What we see in Bethlehems story we apply to our own stories. We enter into Bethlehems story with as much cultural and geographical colour and flavour as we can muster in order to feel the crises taste the dust hear the lambs bleating on the hillside. And there we find the Christ-child son of David the Good Shepherd Lion of Judah Bread of Life Lamb of God fulfilling all the recurring themes taking his inevitable place as rightful king.