Our champion from Bethlehem

This Christmas millions will again be singing, 'Once in Royal David's City'. This 'City' is Bethlehem where David was born, who as a young man killed Goliath the Philistine giant with a sling and a stone. Goliath who was about 3 meters tall challenged the armies of Israel to produce a champion saying, "If he kills me we'll be your servants, but if I kill him, you will be ours!" [ 1 Samuel 17 ].

The name 'Goliath' means 'Fortune Teller' and he foretold that he would give David's flesh to the birds of the air. However, he couldn't have been more wrong! It was David who removed the giant's sword from its sheath and cut off his head. He then carried it to Jerusalem where it would have been spiked on a pole as a memorial to the great victory. The birds of the air soon pecked off Goliath's flesh and probably the skull remained there for many years until the spot became known as Golgotha or Calvary meaning 'The place of the Skull'. It was here 2000 years later that Jesus our Champion from Bethlehem died for our sins and thus removed the Goliath of guilt for all who turn from their sins and trust Him to be their Saviour.

The coming of God to this apparently insignificant earth is the most remarkable and wonderful event in its history, made even more amazing because it was foretold hundreds of years in advance. The prophet Micah for example, wrote about the eternal God coming to Bethlehem 400 years before it happened. [ Micah 5:2 ] After His death the next sensational event was His resurrection. Our Champion from Bethlehem has even conquered the Goliath of the grave! No wonder our carols are full of joy because millions know the living Christ in their hearts.

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