August 16, 2023 - Micah 5-7

Over and over again in the prophets, even as they call Israel and the nations to repentance, we come across wonderful promises. And those promises never get old. Hear one of the most amazing prophecies of promise: “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. 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. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace” (5:2-5).

Messiah. Redeemer. Son of God. Son of Mary and Joseph. He is our peace! How we love to sing these words!

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 men on earth. -- Phillips Brooks (1868)