My Husband’s Favorite Verse about Christ’s Birth

December 24, 2024

Don had a lot of favorite verses. Here is the story of one of them on this Christmas Eve which was his father’s birthday—and his was December 11. Don was born when his father was on an island in the Pacific as a Navy Seabee in World War II.

When I moved to my home twelve years ago, my friend, Cindy, gave me a wall hanging which we decided to put in my bedroom. She hung it for me, and I have enjoyed it ever since. The different names of Jesus are displayed on the tapestry. Sometimes I pick a name and reflect on it for the day.

This verse caught my attention this Christmas season because I can just hear Don saying it and because I love the deep meaning from the little-known prophet, Micah, who prophesied a long time ago—between 750 and 686 B.C.

“But thou, Bethlehem 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.” (Micah 5:2)

Ephratah was the region in which Bethlehem was located. Bethlehem was considered a very insignificant town, yet from it would come a new ruler-- no mere human being, but one whose origin is “from of old, from everlasting.” My Bible has the alternate reading “from days of eternity.” Jesus said this in response to the Jews’ questioning Him: “’I tell you the truth,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’”

Glory to the Newborn King!