Why was it important for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem?

“These are the Scriptures that testify about me,” Jesus said of the books of the Old Testament. Though Jesus fulfilled other prophecies by His life and death, His birth alone fulfilled many. 700 years before Jesus’ birth, in Micah 5:2, the Jewish prophet Micah predicted, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” 

Because at the time there was another town named Bethlehem, by saying Bethlehem Ephrathah, God made the prophecy clear. 

The original Hebrew word translated “ancient days” here can also mean “eternity,” giving us another clue that Jesus is God, existing before creation. Investigate Micah 5:2 and other Messianic passages in the Bible, and you'll find compelling evidence that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God sent to save both Jews and Gentiles.

Now every time you see that iconic image of Mary and Joseph traveling on a donkey to make it to Bethlehem, remember how our Father God had a careful plan to save us from the beginning of time.