Micah 5:2-5a (NRSV)
Read Micah 5:2-5a on biblegateway.com
Verse 2But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Verse 3Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. Verse 4And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; Verse 5and he shall be the one of peace. If the Assyrians come into our land and tread upon our soil, we will raise against them seven shepherds and eight installed as rulers.
Devotion
The second day that we were in Bethlehem, we took our bus over to the Church of the Nativity. Many believe that it was built on the very site of the manger. We expected, somehow, that there would be the atmosphere of “Silent Night,” but we were greeted by a tourist frenzy. We escaped the pressures of the hawkers by entering through a small doorway. It was designed to keep soldiers on horses from being able to enter and desecrate the sanctuary.
Beneath the Basilica was a cave-like space. The Greek, Latin and Armenian churches each claimed a space that was the very location of the manger. Many in our group emptied their possessions into a bowl to be blessed.
I then directed our group to a small cove, away from the many pilgrims vying for a blessing. I then invited Ken, all six feet, eight inches of him, to crouch beneath the hewn rock ceiling, and read from memory the second chapter of Luke. This attorney was used to projecting his deep voice. “In those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered...” One could hear a pin drop. For the first time in the Church of the Nativity we had experienced a holy moment, etched in our minds and hearts forever.
We were given a glimpse into the dream of the prophet Micah. Bethlehem would be the entrance point for the Messiah who would bring peace.
Prayer
The world around us is in a state of frenzy this time of the year. Help us to wait with a sure and certain hope for the one who will bring peace. Amen!