Note: This devotion material was purchased digitally from YM360 to be used for the Advent Season of 2024.
Day Four: A Promise of Hope From the Town of Bethlehem
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” Micah 5:2
Have you ever felt too young to do something that matters? Maybe you were told you were too little to understand something or participate in something. As humans, we tend to think that people who are older, wiser, or stronger than us are more capable of accomplishing big things.
But Christmas is proof that God often picks the young, little, or weak to be part of His plan. Jesus was born in a small town and in total humility. The King of Kings, born as a human baby. His mother, Mary, who was a teenager at the time, wrapped Him in cloths and placed him in a manger (feeding trough). While this might seem a small detail to us, the fact Jesus came to Earth as a baby in this way fulfilled the exact prophecy we read about in these verses!
The hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem” describes the night Jesus was born. The lyrics of this hymn help us imagine Jesus powerfully entering the scene with His everlasting light on a sleepless night as a newborn baby born to accomplish a huge part of God’s plan. When you feel small, young, or insignificant, think about what God has done through Jesus at Christmas. Remember that God is in the business of doing great things through everyone, no matter how young you are!
The hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem” describes the night Jesus was born. The lyrics of this hymn help us imagine Jesus powerfully entering the scene with His everlasting light on a sleepless night as a newborn baby born to accomplish a huge part of God’s plan. When you feel small, young, or insignificant, think about what God has done through Jesus at Christmas. Remember that God is in the business of doing great things through everyone, no matter how young you are!
Questions:
1. What’s one area or thing that you feel too young or insignificant to do in your life?
2. Spend two minutes in prayer, asking God to use you in those areas of your life this week.