Sunday, December 1, 2024  

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Today's Scripture
Micah 5:2–5a

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. (NRSV)

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Reflection

Whenever we had a family picture taken, we would tell my mom she looked like she was standing in a hole. I was 5'9" and my dad and brother were each 6'4". Mom? 5'2". Her retort was always, “I may be little but I’m mighty!” Our reply, “Yeah, mighty little.”

Seems like that was Bethlehem’s problem — mighty little. Bethlehem was a tiny, insignificant town. Instead of choosing the holy city of Jerusalem as the birthplace of Jesus, the King of kings, God selected a town so small that it wasn’t even listed in the registry of towns in Joshua 15 or Nehemiah 11.

Sometimes we may think of ourselves as too small and insignificant to make a difference. Think again. Think about Bethlehem, David, and Zacchaeus. Think about the widow and her mites, the boy with his loaves and fishes, and the shepherds. Some of us may believe that we haven’t accomplished anything this year. In truth we probably have — we just haven’t realized it.

At the end of the day, our worth is our identity as a child of God, and with God’s help, we may be little but we’re mighty.

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Prayer
Lord, when we feel small and insignificant, remind us of the strength and worth you have placed within us. Through you, we can overcome every challenge and do the impossible. Help us to trust in your power and see ourselves through your eyes. Amen.

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Written by Linda Gibboney, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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