December 22 - Peace: the real reason for Christmas
Contributed by
Ventisha Conolly, a junior history major from the Cayman Islands on Monday December 22
Scripture
Micah 5:2-5a
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans 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."
Therefore Israel will be abandoned
until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return
to join the Israelites.
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.
And he will be their peace.
Deliverance and Destruction
When the Assyrian invades our land and marches through our fortresses, we will raise against him seven shepherds, even eight leaders of men.
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Devotion
In Micah 5:2-5, we are given the first of many hints to the impending birth of our Lord. The message first is to the people of Bethlehem, letting them know that though they are small and one of many towns in Israel that could house the birth of our Savior, they were the chosen one. Today, any small town in this large world could be worthy of his return, but it would have to be chosen by the Lord and have those special qualities that Bethlehem had over 2,000 years ago.
The message continues telling them that once the time is right He shall be revealed to the people of Bethlehem and the people of Israel. And He shall bring the Lord's message LOUD and STRONG and EVERYONE shall hear it and know it. This message will be one of Peace -- a peace that passes the understanding of all and it shall be with us until the end of time.
As carols are sung and gifts are wrapped for friends and loved ones alike, we should remember the real reason for Christmas -- Peace, the Peace that our precious Lord and Savior brought to us all those many years ago.
May Peace be with you and your loved ones as Christmas and the New Year blesses each and every one of us on this God's beautiful earth!
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