From now until Christmas we will be focusing each week on a tradition of advent. Advent is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the birth of Christ at Christmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming.
This week we focus on the first tradition HOPE.
Micah 2-4
But you, Bethlehem, David’s country,
the runt of the litter—
From you will come the leader
who will shepherd-rule Israel.
He’ll be no upstart, no pretender.
His family tree is ancient and distinguished.
Meanwhile, Israel will be in foster homes
until the birth pangs are over and the child is born,
And the scattered brothers come back
home to the family of Israel.
He will stand tall in his shepherd-rule by God’s strength,
centered in the majesty of God-Revealed.
And the people will have a good and safe home,
for the whole world will hold him in respect—
Peacemaker of the world!
Do you feel like the runt of the liter? Asking, what good can come from you? That’s how Bethlehem felt before the unthinkable happened.
From this runt of the litter, the most unexpected, the least likely event in history happened.
As we prepare our hearts for celebrating the arrival of the Peacemaker of the world, can you offer what you have, as unsightly as you may think it is, as a birthing place of Hope this season.
Often in is in the least likely places that we encounter the closeness of Immanuel - God with us.
Let’s pray: “Immanuel, Lord Jesus, We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus! Help us to receive and embrace the Hope eternal that only You bring. Emanuel, God with us. Amen”