December 14th

December 14: Micah 5:2-5

Micah 5:2-5  (NIV)

“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.

And he will be our peace

   when the Assyrians invade our land

   and march through our fortresses.

We will raise against them seven shepherds,

   even eight commanders,”

Reflection

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

If there was ever a clear theme in the Christmas story it’s this: God uses unlikely people and places to accomplish his purposes. This little town, smallest amongst the clans, would cradle the Son of God.

God is able to look at almost anyone and see potential.

What kind of potential does God see in you?

Prayer

God, the One who uses the small things in this world, use me.