"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From Everlasting." (Micah 5:2)
Micah’s prophecy was given 700 years before Christ’s birth. Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem. Why? To fulfill history’s prophecy, and complete God’s perfect plan.
"And you, O tower of the flock, The stronghold of the daughter of Zion, To you shall it come, Even the former dominion shall come, The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem." (Micah 4:8)
Why is “the tower of the flock” also a prophesy? This tower (Migdal Eder), dating back to Jacob, was the place where he kept his flock (Genesis 35:21).
Shepherds would watch over their sheep that grazed in the valley’s meadow below from this tower. It was in the fields near Bethlehem. Generations later, it was still used by shepherds to guard and keep their special flock. The unblemished and unspotted lambs were raised there for the Temple sacrifice. The shepherds, too, were special. They were trained by priests to inspect these newborn lambs destined for sacrifice. Those who were found perfect were “wrapped in cloths” to protect them from injury and placed in mangers. When the angel appeared to the shepherds in Luke 2:8-11 and told them they would find the Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger, they knew just where to find Him, the sacrificial Lamb of God.
The Christmas Story
And it came to pass
In those days of old,
Decreed from Caesar
To the world foretold.
All to be counted,
A census takes place.
Proclaimed by the law,
Every man and race.
So to his city
Joseph went along.
Distance to travel
Among the throng.
Up from Nazareth
To go to his house.
Lineage of David
With Mary, his spouse.
She was now with child
And while they were there
A baby was born,
No time to prepare.
She wrapped Him in cloths,
Swaddling so tight,
And in a manger
He laid in the night.
There was no more room
For them in the inn,
So with the cattle
His life will begin.
Now in that country
Shepherds, in the field,
Watching their own sheep
To an angel yield.
It stood before them,
Glory all around.
They were so afraid
And fell to the ground.
The angel spoke words,
“Do not be afraid.
I bring you good news.
So be not dismayed.
"Great joy will come for
People everywhere.
There is born to you
A Savior to declare.
“In the city of David
You’ll find Christ, the Lord.
A sign just for you
To find and record.
“A babe wrapped in cloths,
Swaddled with care,
Laid in a manger
Waiting for you there.”
Suddenly there was
With the angel’s light,
A heavenly host
Praising God with might,
“Glory to our God,
Forever on high
And on all the earth
Peace to magnify.
“A Savior is born.
Goodwill toward men.
Forever now lives
And never to sin.”
When all the angels
Left and went away,
The shepherds declared,
“Let us not delay.
“Let us now travel
To Bethlehem town
And see what is there,
This babe of renown.”
So they came with haste,
And Mary they found.
Joseph and the babe
All gathered around.
When they had seen Him
They told everyone,
And all who heard it
Believed in the Son.
But Mary kept all
These things in her heart.
The shepherds returned,
God’s love to impart.
Luke 2:1-20