Where was the Messiah actually born?

How wonderful, though we know Christ was not born Dec 25^th, how wonderful it is that he was born as our Savior.  We believe all the evidence points to a birth in the fall, probably either on the Feast of Trumpets or possibly even the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, since John 1 says he came to “tabernacle” with mankind.

But this blog is about WHERE exactly he was born. Could the exact spot in Bethlehem have been foretold 700 years earlier?   I’m not the first to write about this.  But most people seem to think he was born in a barn or stall, and might miss a more interesting explanation.  There are also those who believe he was born in a sukkah – a booth – since they believe this was during the Feast of Booths/Tabernacles.  Of course others believe he was born in a deep cave, the site of the present Church of the Nativity - - a site chosen by Emperor Constantine’s mother Helen, centuries after the birth of Christ.  I’ve seen that spot within the church and don’t believe he was born on that spot at all! 

There might be something more to the point. There might be a scripture in Micah that actually tells us where he would be found.  And remember, everything I write here is geared to a FALL-TIME birth, not December 25^th.  So though we do not keep Christmas, we are delighted that God did send his Son to be our savior.  Now, where was he born? 

Everyone knows he was born in Bethlehem “in a manger” – which refers to a food crib for animals.  According to Luke 2, Caesar had ordered people to go to their home town to register (the KJV “tax” is more correctly referring to a registration, as most other translations have it, and as the Greek word more strongly implies).  Usually just the males would have had to go, but since Mary was also a royal descendant of the house of David in her own right, she would have had to register as well.

Luke 2:1-7

“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Now compare this to a prophecy in Micah 4:8, written 700 years before the birth of our Savior.  It’s time to read about the Tower of the Flock, the Migdal Eder.  You’ll find this very fascinating! 

Click on “Continue reading” to find out the most likely spot where Yeshua (Jesus) was actually born! 

Micah 4:8

And you, O tower of the flock,

The stronghold of the daughter of Zion,

To you shall it come, Even the former dominion shall come,

The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.”

Hmm.  What’s this all about?  When the shepherds were told about the birth of Yeshua, the sign they were given is that he would be found in “swaddling cloths, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12).  They were very aware of the Micah 4:8 and it says in Luke that they “came with haste”.  Why? 

Micah 4:8 refers to the “Migdal Eder” – translated “Tower of the Flock”.  The lambs that were to be sacrificed at the temple were primarily raised in the fields around Bethlehem, which is about 4 miles from the Jerusalem temple mount area. It’s not far. The priestly shepherds would watch over their flocks destined for sacrifice from the Migdal Eder. 

The  priestly shepherds were careful when a lamb was birthed in the lower areas of the Migdal Eder (tower of the flock) to wrap the newborn lamb in swaddling cloths to keep it from being marred in any way, so it could be used as a lamb sacrifice. Then they’d place the newly wrapped lamb into a feed stall (manger) nearby until it settled down. Then once calm, they would carefully put the newborn lamb with its mother. They were careful to not mar or harm the lamb in the any manner so it could be sacrificed for the sins of the people. Remember sacrificial lambs had to be without spot or any issues. 

Back to Micah 4:8.  Priests were aware that Micah 4:8 was a Messianic prophecy.  Their new ruler would be born in the Migdal Eder (THE tower of the flock) and from there – as it goes on to say in Micah 4 – he would eventually set up his dominion and kingdom!  So when these priestly shepherds were told the newborn Lamb of God would be found in swaddling cloths in a manger, they knew where to look – the Migdal Eder – and there they found him, as the angelic messenger had foretold!  Remember they were told the one born that day was their promised Messiah (Christ, meaning “anointed one”), the Lord.

Luke 2:11-12

“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ [Messiah] the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."

Remember that the original “city of David” was Bethlehem.  It was only later, when he became king of Jerusalem, that the ancient city of Jebus was called the “city of David” also. The shepherds were beside themselves with joy – their SAVIOR had been born, right where they expected him to be, in the Tower of the Flock as Micah 4:8 had foretold.  They found Him in swaddling cloths – just like the newborn lambs destined to die as the sacrifice for sins were wrapped in swaddling cloths. 

So even though I do not participate in Dec 25 festivities, due to all the reasons I’ve spoken on before, I thought it was interesting to learn about Micah 4:8 and I hope you found that interesting too.  And yes, I do praise our Father in heaven for sending His Son to be our Lamb – probably born in the fall – to take away the sins of the world.