Read
Micah 5:2-4
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”
Therefore Israel will be abandoned
until the time when she who is in labor bears a son,
and the rest of his brothers return
to join the Israelites.
He will stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
will reach to the ends of the earth.
Reflect
It is not difficult to interpret the first part of Michah’s prophecy. Jesus was indeed born in Bethlehem. God used a Roman census to move Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem at the time of the expected Birth. Prophecy fulfilled, promise fulfilled. Period.
But wait, there’s more here. Israel’s ruler, origins from eternity, Israel living in security, His greatness reaching to the ends of the earth, peace? None of this has at yet happened, so these words must indicate an as yet unfulfilled prophecy. We know that God keeps His promises, therefore, we know that the rest of this prophecy has to be fulfilled. Dear friends, Jesus is indeed coming back
The New Testament speaks of His return also. Phil. 3:20 tells us that “our citizenship is in Heaven and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ”. Heb. 10:24-25 speaks of how we should eagerly await His return, that we “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, that we not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, that we encourage one another as we see the Day approaching”. 1 John 2:28 encourages us to be faithful, that “we continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.”
We have been told that Jesus is coming, that is a promise and it will happen, just as the specific place of His birth was predicted and fulfilled. As we remember His birth we also eagerly await His coming in glory by encouraging others, spurring each other on toward good deeds, meeting together, remaining faithful and praying that He come soon.
Pray
Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Sing
O Little Town of Bethlehem
O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary
And, gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wond’ring love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to all on earth!
How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heav’n.
No ear may hear his coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Immanuel!
Lila Gardner