Bible.com.au: Reading Plan - Christmas: God’s rescue plan realised

Reflection: Why did God send his son to be born in an obscure rural village in a country that was overrun by an occupying enemy force? What made God involve a peasant girl and a carpenter? What prompted the Son of God to be born in a place where animals feed?
The truth is: God carefully laid the plans for this event long ago. The Old Testament prophets foretold it. The prophet Micah (5:2-4) had spoken about a mother who was to give birth to a prince of ancient lineage, who would shepherd his people, and who would be born in Bethlehem.
Then 700 years later, the Magi were guided by a star to Jerusalem, where they enquired of king Herod where the ‘king of the Jews’ would be born.
The scribes looked up the Old Testament prophecy and tell the Magi that the Messiah will be born… surprise, surprise: in Bethlehem.
Eons ago, God carefully laid his plans… to come to you.

Prayer: Dear Father,
You laid the foundation for your loving initiative eons ago. And your word says that you are a God who never changes.
Thank you that I can lean back into a love that has never changed in history.
I am humbled by it.

Micah 5:1-15

A Promised Ruler From Bethlehem

1Marshal your troops now, city of troops,

for a siege is laid against us.

They will strike Israel’s ruler

on the cheek with a rod.

2“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.”

3Therefore Israel will be abandoned

until the time when she who is in labor bears a son,

and the rest of his brothers return

to join the Israelites.

4He 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.

5And he will be our peace

when the Assyrians invade our land

and march through our fortresses.

We will raise against them seven shepherds,

even eight commanders,

6who will rule the land of Assyria with the sword,

the land of Nimrod with drawn sword.

He will deliver us from the Assyrians

when they invade our land

and march across our borders.

7The remnant of Jacob will be

in the midst of many peoples

like dew from the Lord,

like showers on the grass,

which do not wait for anyone

or depend on man.

8The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations,

in the midst of many peoples,

like a lion among the beasts of the forest,

like a young lion among flocks of sheep,

which mauls and mangles as it goes,

and no one can rescue.

9Your hand will be lifted up in triumph over your enemies,

and all your foes will be destroyed.

10“In that day,” declares the Lord,

“I will destroy your horses from among you

and demolish your chariots.

11I will destroy the cities of your land

and tear down all your strongholds.

12I will destroy your witchcraft

and you will no longer cast spells.

13I will destroy your idols

and your sacred stones from among you;

you will no longer bow down

to the work of your hands.

14I will uproot from among you your Asherah poles

when I demolish your cities.

15I will take vengeance in anger and wrath

on the nations that have not obeyed me.”

Christmas: God’s rescue plan realised

Day 1 of 14

NIV

Micah 5:2-4

Days

Micah 5:1-15