Uplook - December 20, 2025

Micah 5:2 But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, Though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Have you ever wondered why Bethlehem?  It is only a few short miles from Jerusalem, the royal city.  Around 750 years prior to Christ's birth the prophet Micah told us of the place it would happen.  He prophesied during troubling times in Palestine. The Assyrian Empire ultimately captured most of Judah (having already conquered Israel to the north) except Jerusalem. Beyond that corruption has infected most of the land and God is now allowing it to be taken from them.  Chapter 6 uses a courtroom style dialogue to emphasize God's heart toward His people culminating with Micah 6:8:

Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; And what doth the Lord require of thee, But to do justly, and to love mercy, And to walk humbly with thy God?

Jewish scribes and sages familiar with scripture knew Micah well. At the arrival of the Magi (Wise Men) they reported to the wicked King Herod that Bethlehem would be the place where the Jewish king would be born.  in Jerusalem.  Consider that these same scribes and sages would have been just as familiar with the second verse quoted above.
 
But why Bethlehem?   The Jewish nation was expecting a deliverer, the "Anointed One" or Messiah.  They just didn't expect Him to arrive in such a humble place and circumstances.   Bethlehem - which in Hebrew is a combination of two words meaning "house" and "bread" so means "House of Bread" was where King David had been born.  The greatest Jewish king,  but one who came from humble beginnings as Jesse's youngest son, a shepherd...not at all one anticipated to be king.   And this small town not even included in most geographical lists of towns in Judea, was called Ephratah (to differentiate it from another town of the same name) which also means "fruitful".   It was outside this town that lambs for temple sacrifices were raised and it is perhaps such that the shepherds were watching when the Angel appeared at Jesus' birth.  

It was from this small unheralded town that One whose goings were from old (or long ago implying from David's lineage/time), but more importantly from eternity,  would come forth to be God's ruler in Israel (and ultimately the whole world).  Could this have been God's way of illustrating Micah 6:8 ...a humble, just and merciful king who desires the same three qualities from His followers:  Justice/righteousness/, mercy/grace, and humility?  May the Lord help us all, no matter our birthplace or status in life to reflect these qualities of our king, Jesus Christ who exemplified them not only in His birthplace, but throughout His life, death, and resurrection.

Housekeeping Notes: 

1. Special music. Tomorrow the choir will present special music and the children receive a special story during the morning worship service.  Our young people will be exchanging "White Elephant gifts" after church and all are invited to join for pizza upstairs.  In the evening will be our annual Carols and Candles service.
2. Schedule. There will be no Bible Study on either Christmas Eve or New Years Eve.
3. Year End donations. For those with questions concerning year end donations for tax purposes.  If your donations are made in cash, they must be received by 12/31.  If by check, they must be dated by 12/31 and received no later than Jan 10th.   If you make donations via our website/app these are only deposited once weekly on Wednesday's so donations should be made by 12/27/25 for inclusion in the year end deposit.  

Merry Christmas,
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor