Small Town Boy

My wife and I recently ate out at a local Mexican food restaurant and we kept running into people we knew.  All in all, we counted over a dozen people that we spoke to or encountered over the course of our meal.  Not all of them were Northsiders and I don't think any of them knew each other but we knew them.  When we were walking to our car we both commented on how Victoria is still a small town.  Things like that don't happen in Houston or Dallas and that is fine with us.  Don't get me wrong, it is a good feeling to go out and see a lot people you know.  We both said we like it that way.

When is a small town no longer a small town?  I think it is when you go out and never encounter someone you know at the grocery store or the restaurant or the mall.  So, though Victoria is growing, by my definition, it is still a small town.  I hope it stays that way.

Have you ever thought about the fact that Jesus was a small town boy?  He was born in Bethlehem.  It was classified as an "O, little town" even before the Christmas carol was written.  When the wise men came looking for him, they came to Jerusalem, of course.  When they inquired about where he was to be born, the scholars said, "In Bethlehem in Judea" another sign of a small town is when you have to say the name of the place followed by what region or county or state it is in also.

The prophet Micah had written in chapter 5 verse 2 and following. "But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel."  The word "least" could also be translated "insignificant."  God sent his son to come to earth in a place that people could have called insignificant if not for his birth.

Jesus was raised in Nazareth, not Rome, not Jerusalem, not even Jericho but Nazareth.  Everyone knew him as "Joseph's son."  That is another sign of a small town - everyone knows you and all your family connections too.  When Jesus began his ministry, he made trips to Jerusalem and to Jericho but the bulk of his time seems to have been spent in places like Capernaum - another small town.

So at your Christmas gatherings when your relatives are talking about their big city adventures and advantages and you are feeling a little insignificant, just remind yourself - Jesus was a small town boy.  When you travel out of town and meet your cousin's new wife from Dallas and she asks where Victoria is and as you explain she gets this dazed, confused look on her face as if she has no idea what you are talking about, just remember - Jesus was a small town guy.

He came to those who could be called insignificant to prove that no one and no town, are insignificant to him.  Merry Christmas.

for the journey...

Tim