are only a small village among all the people of Judah.
Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you,
one whose origins are from the distant past.
until the woman in labor gives birth.
Then at last his fellow countrymen
will return from exile to their own land.
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
Then his people will live there undisturbed,
for he will be highly honored around the world.
"I'll be Home for Christmas" is a popular song at Christmas because of the common desire to be with those we love during the holiday season. Many are fortunate to have a home to return to; many are not. Many will travel and find that home; many will stay put not having anywhere else to go.
No one understood the desire for home more than the Israelites in exile. Generations of God's people were born and raised in a land that was not their own, growing up hearing stories about the land God had given them, and the days when they had their own king ruling justly over them, instead of a foreign oppressor imposing his will.
It is this desire that the prophet speaks into; he speaks of life, freedom, and peace. But the source of this peace will come in an unexpected way, a child. He will be born in Bethlehem, a town so insignificant that it fails to appear in all the rest of the Old Testament. And there is no mention of this ruler vanquishing the enemies, but of leading the flock with the Lord's strength, and in the majesty of the Lord's name. This ruler will be different. This ruler will truly lead as God himself leads, and the people shall finally be "home".
Advent Action: Are you already home for Christmas? Look around your community and find those who have no one returning home to them for Christmas, and extend your family to include them. Invite them over for Christmas dinner, spend time with them on Christmas Eve, or take a group of friends caroling to their home.
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