Christmas

His Birthplace Foretold

This devotional is written by John Holden-White.

Micah 5:2-5

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    though you are small among the clans[a] 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."
3 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.
4 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.
5 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

Epic Prophecy Time.

I cannot help but feel completely and utterly privileged when I think of this. And (this time) it has nothing to do with my age, education, maleness or whiteness. This is for everyone – EVERYONE! (And it trumps everything – forever).

I have heard historians say that for those of us in the developed West at least (with a few exceptions), there has never been a better time to be alive. Thinking in terms of medicine, access to clean water, electricity, food, education – you get the idea (insert Brexit joke here) – we have it good! And holding a British passport has had its advantages. (I have met people abroad who have told me "Ah! London, one day – that is the dream!")

None of this compares to the amazing privilege that we all have in Jesus. For hundreds of years people held onto the promises that one day a just and mighty ruler would come to them. Waiting – hoping – like those sat in darkness waiting for light to come. He would be to them as a good shepherd. His beginnings would be humble and yet He would be "great to the ends of the earth" - He would be "from ancient days".

In Micah 4 we read "many nations shall come...For out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."

Well, (Christmas spoilers) He has come! The Ancient of Days, the Word at the beginning – the man who revealed (and reveals) the very nature of God.

This is our privilege. The light has come – and we can bathe in it every day! We can know Him and share Him.

PRAY

Thank you God that ALL of your promises are fulfilled in time.
Thank you for your presence with us and for your word to us today.
Help us to wait patiently and faithfully and restore our hope. You are my peace.

Amen.

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