Micah 5:2-3
2 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.
3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.
Bethlehem was such an unlikely place for the Messiah to be born. Yet Micah foretells that God has chosen this small little town as the place for the greater David, the one who would save the world. So many interesting things happened in this uninteresting little town. Jacob’s wife, Rachel, died near Bethlehem when she gave birth to Benjamin, and was buried nearby. Ruth and Naomi came to Bethlehem; there Boaz fell in love with Ruth and married her. Ruth is an ancestor of the Messiah. David was Bethlehem’s greatest son and it was through David’s family that the Messiah would be born. God has often used the meek and meager things to do great and mighty works. Just as he used this “little town of Bethlehem,” and the lowly stable made for the animals for the birthplace, God wants to use us to bring hope to the broken, joy to the downtrodden, peace to those who have war in their lives. With little, we can do much for the King.
- What are some of the small things we can give thanks for as we celebrate the birth of Messiah?
- In what ways can God use you to bring hope, peace, love, and joy to others during this time of advent?