But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

.... too little to be 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). Bethlehem Ephrathah is identified as the Bethlehem in Judah, as opposed to the Bethlehem in Zebulun (Matthew 2:6; Joshua 19:15). The tribes of Israel were divided into clans of thousands, and the city of Bethlehem in Judah was too small to be counted as a clan. “Yet” is to be understood to mean “in spite of its smallness and hence apparent unimportance.” “The One” can be applied only to the then coming Messiah, and is clearly identified as such by the chief priests and the scribes at the time of Herod (Matthew 2:4, 5). “Whose going forth ... from everlasting” speaks of the eternal existence of Messiah. This was in fact claimed by Jesus,  but in spite of it being clearly written here in the Hebrew Scriptures, it was considered blasphemy by the Jews of Christ's day (John 8:58, 59).

Some have tried to explain that Jesus deliberately set out to fulfill Old Testament prophecy in His claim to be Messiah.  But this is one of many prophecies over which He would have had no control. He was also thought to come from Nazareth where Joseph (His step -father) and Mary settled after their return from Egypt where they had fled from Herod (Matthew 2:13, 23; Luke 2:39; John 1:46).  The relationship of the Old to the New Testament, and in particular the fulfillment by Christ of Old testament prophecy is an import verification of the truth of  Scripture. For those who truly want to know and/or to have a solid rational for their faith, this is a good place to look.  It is also something we should seriously think about if we are to be able to give an answer to those who ask of the hope that is within us (1 Peter 3:15).

Of course not everyone is intellectual, but you don't have to be intellectual to understand the significance of fulfilled prophecy. And some will need to go into this deeper than others.  It is good however to have confidence that we have not believed myths,  or fairy tales  (cunningly devised fables 2 Peter 1:16).  And in the midst of the seduction of Christmas by commercialism and the propaganda and intimidation of the World,  it might well be the right thing to do as the Bereans did.  They were more fair-minded than the skeptics in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out (or confirm) whether these things were so (Acts 17:11). And at this time of year, at least for a while it might be a good thing to imitate them!

Father, in the midst of the hype, the business and the preparations for Christmas, help us not to loose sight of the real meaning of Christmas. Help us to take time to ponder again the wonder of You so loving the World,  and each one of us individually,  that You broke into time and space, and in the ultimate demonstration of Your Love died for us while we were yet Your enemies (Romans 5). Thank You Lord. We give You praise and Glory in the Name of Messiah Jesus Hallelujah Amen