Read: Micah 5:1-5
Reflect: Have you ever felt insignificant? It seems that the people of Bethlehem may have. They lived in a tiny village, had small lives, and did ordinary things. But God uses ordinary people and places to do extraordinary things!
Out of ordinary Bethlehem comes the Savior! One whose bloodlines are old and solid in the faith.
When the people are abandoned to their enemies, this one, the one born in plain old Bethlehem, will lead his people with the Lord’s strength and majesty. He will be highly honored and the source of peace.
The story of Jesus’ arrival was foretold in these verses. Jesus’ mother, Mary, was a regular girl, she gave birth in a place of no importance, yet from her our Savior was born.
In the Bible, God rarely used special people or places to do his most important work. He chose unexceptional people who came from insignificant dots on the map, and He equipped them to carry out His mission.
The Heavenly Father is still doing this today. You might be an ordinary person: You go to work or school, you go to church, you do things normal people do. Maybe you don’t feel very special, or like you can do something important for God’s Kingdom. That just isn’t true!
Out of run-of-the-mill Bethlehem comes Jesus. Out of a typical teenage girl comes Jesus.
This place and this girl didn’t hold any power or authority at all—until God used them in a powerful way.
You may not be extraordinary. You may not even feel useful. Most likely, you don’t feel powerful. But live in the knowledge that God will empower, equip, and mobilize you when He calls you to work for Him.
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Discuss: Do you feel ordinary? Is that a good or a bad thing?
Why do you think God chose for Jesus to be born in an ordinary place to an ordinary girl? How can God use you and your town to make a difference?
Pray: Father, help us see the beauty in being ordinary. Please show us ways we can do your work in our daily lives. Please let us do all we can to glorify you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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