Now you are walled around with a wall; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike the ruler of Israel upon the cheek.

But 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. Therefore 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. And 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;

Micah 5:1-4

A lot of attention was focused on the small town of Bethlehem. Jews from many parts of the world came to be counted in a census. Mary and Joseph traveled there from Nazareth. Shepherds came from the fields to see the Baby lying in a manger. Every Christmas, in our imagination, we go to Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Micah prophesied that from Bethlehem would go forth a Ruler of Israel, the eternal maker of the world, who had come to save mankind from sin. This season, join with those who have gone forth from their visits to Bethlehem to proclaim the good news of Christ, who came to save us.

The gospel is one gift you can keep and still pass on to others.

Our Daily Bread – December 27, 2004