December 12, 2024

“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.
His goings forth are from long ago,
From the days of eternity.” (Micah 5:2, nasb)

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Like me, do you remember fully inspecting your still-wrapped Christmas gifts for size, shape, mass, and volume? As a child, I used to think, “The larger the gift, the better,” and, “The larger the gift, the more valuable.” Over the years I have learned that this is not always accurate; many great things often come in small packages. This is also true of our eternal King, Jesus.

Notice how God’s majesty and reputation are not diminished or compromised at all by introducing Jesus into the world through such seemingly small and insignificant circumstances. In fact, it is in these small settings that we see more clearly God’s beautiful character of love and peace for us. Unlike humankind, God is never tempted to be a showy braggart. Even in the birth of the eternal King Jesus, He has allowed Himself to be approachable by all, especially the lowly and small.

Smallness and insignificance can never threaten true greatness.

This Christmas, I encourage you to enjoy and embrace all the small things this season brings: carolers, the smell of gingerbread baking in the oven, a crackling fireplace, the first snowflake, a reading of the Christmas story. And as you encounter many unsuspecting small things or small moments, I pray you will find them as a wonderful opportunity to worship and reflect upon the eternal King, Jesus Christ—the One from little Bethlehem.

 

Dr. Charles W. Dickens
Chair and Professor of Counseling Ministries