December 19 Bethlehem The city
Nothing but a backwater of a village. A tiny place of no great bearing, even though King David hailed from Bethlehem. A place to be written off except by God. The prophet Micah foretold that even though you are small, Bethlehem, from you will come a ruler, a shepherd for the nations. Jesus, a member of the clan of David, was born in Bethlehem. Nothing and no one is too small for God’s use.
Prayer: O God, I am small, inconsequential, not great in the sight of the world. Help me to be open to what you have in store for me. I ask not for the praise of others, only to do your will in my small life, in my small sphere of influence, to bring about your kingdom.
O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse) standing as a sign among the peoples: before you kings will shut their mouths, to you the nations will make their prayer. Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.