At one point in my life I considered myself doomed to live in small, nowheresville towns that started with the letter B.

My hometown of Baraboo had a population of around 8000 in those days. A lot more if you counted the cows. After college, I got a great job in Chicago but was immediately transferred to upstate New York where I lived in Baldwinsville. When I got laid off from that job a year later, I ended up staying with relatives in Bellingham, Washington until I found a new job. I had an offer in Boston (at least it wasn’t small), but I chose Seattle instead. Finally my streak had ended.

When I was young and seeking excitement, I felt trapped in those small towns. I was sure I couldn’t accomplish anything meaningful there or meet anyone interesting.

But Jesus proved me wrong. He was born in Bethlehem, a small B town, and look what He accomplished. He saved the world.

“Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; one will come from you to be ruler over Israel for me. His origin is from antiquity, from ancient times.” (Micah‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬, ‭CSB‬‬)

Bethlehem was a nothing little town. It didn’t belong on anyone’s list of top travel destinations then. Most people weren’t familiar with it and probably couldn’t have found it on a map. And yet God chose it as the miraculous birthplace of our Savior.

I think God chose it exactly because it was insignificant. If the Messiah came from Bethlehem, that would be surprising. And if a prophecy pointed out such a nowheresville town as the birthplace of the Messiah, that would be very memorable. And that’s exactly what happened.

Everyone knows Bethlehem now. We sing songs about it every Christmas. And it’s on many people’s travel bucket list.

Baraboo still isn’t famous. I guess I have some work to do.

Dear God, thank you for the reminder that you can accomplish your will anyplace and anytime. You are not confined by our earthly standards. Big things can happen in small places. Unknown, insignificant people like me can do great and mighty things in your name, with your power. Give me the courage to think big.