Missionary Renegade: Daily devotional: Micah 5:1-4 from United Methodist Communications of Nashiville, Tennessee, United States for Sunday, November 29, 2015

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Daily devotional: Micah 5:1-4 from United Methodist Communications of Nashiville, Tennessee, United States for Sunday, November 29, 2015

Daily devotional: Micah 5:1-4 from United Methodist Communications of Nashiville, Tennessee, United States for Sunday, November 29, 2015

Advent: A Calendar of Devotions
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2015
Read Micah 5:1
(2) But you, Beit-Lechem near Efrat,

so small among the clans of Y’hudah,

out of you will come forth to me

the future ruler of Isra’el,

whose origins are far in the past,

back in ancient times.

2 (3) Therefore he will give up [Isra’el]

only until she who is in labor gives birth.

Then the rest of his kinsmen

will return to the people of Isra’el.

3 (4) He will stand and feed his flock

in the strength of Adonai,

in the majesty of the name

of Adonai his God;

and they will stay put, as he grows great

to the very ends of the earth;

4 (5) and this will be peace.

If Ashur invades our land,

if he overruns our fortresses,

we will raise seven shepherds against him,

eight leaders of men.
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As for you, Bethlehem of Ephrathah, /though you are the least significant of Judah's forces, / one who is to be a ruler in Israel on my behalf will come out from you.[Micah 5:2]
Most of us learn early in life that the anticipation of an event-a trip, a party, a graduation, a wedding-is almost as much fun as the event itself.
Soon after my husband and I were married, he suggested that we plan something for every two weeks to which we could look forward. Often it was as simple as having friends over for dessert or going to a movie. Then as our children got older, we incorporated this practice into our family life.
After my husband and I retired, we continued this practice with Thanksgiving holiday trips. Usually in the preceding summer, I would have a dinner party with a theme related to the place we knew we would be going for Thanksgiving. By the end of the evening, our anticipation was high. My husband is no longer with us on planet Earth, and both of our grandchildren are married, but we have those moments to remember at holiday times.
Today, we begin a twenty-seven-day journey in anticipation of celebrating December 25 and the unimaginable gift of God's love in the birth of our Savior. I challenge you to meet me each morning as we share the significance of Advent.
Prayer: Eternal and loving God, enable us to stay focused on your unimaginable gift of God's love during these days of preparation. Amen.