As we begin each day’s reflection, invite the Lord to come be with you as you read and meditate on His Word. Take a moment and read the bible passage slowly, allowing the Lord to draw you to any word or phrase that speaks to you.

Micah 5:1-4

Thus says the Lord: You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from old, from ancient times. Therefore, the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne, and the rest of his kindred shall return to the children of Israel. He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the Lord, in the majestic name of the Lord, his God; and they shall remain, for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; he shall be peace. 

Welcome to the Fourth Week of Advent! We made it and Christmas is just days away. It is time to focus on Love with our last candle, the Angel’s Candle. Just as God sent His angels to proclaim the Good News to the humble shepherds in the fields around Bethlehem, He wants us to share how much He loves everyone by sending Jesus to earth for us. 

Have you ever felt like you wanted to contribute to God’s mission, but you didn’t have enough knowledge or talent? That even if you tried, someone else was better, bigger, stronger, wiser than you and they could do a better job? We’ve probably all been there. 

The idea that the Lord is using a little town of Bethlehem should remind us that God finds us all valuable. He used a young woman and a carpenter living in a tiny town that didn’t have the best reputation (“Can anything good come from Nazareth?”  (John 1:46) to be the parents of the Messiah. The political environment even worked to the Lord’s plans in calling a census and drawing Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem for the birth of the Savior which fulfills this prophecy from Micah.

It is important to remember that God has always called the humble, because in our weakness, His strength will be shown. If you feel the nudge from the Lord to speak, to enter a ministry, to work for the Lord, don’t shy away. Pray for wisdom and for the Lord to use you. This time of year, we hear in the Gospels all about the people God used to bring Jesus into the world. Remember that sharing Jesus is still our mission and He is not concerned with our power or prestige, wisdom or talent. He is looking for a sincere heart that loves Him and is willing to take the risk of being misunderstood, rejected, and failing. Because in the end, it’s not about us. It’s about Him and our humility lets Jesus shine through. 

Reflection Questions: Read the following passage from the Catechism and reflect on what it is saying. What stands out to you? How do you see humility and weakness being actual strengths in the wisdom of God? CCC 563 No one, whether shepherd or wise man, can approach God here below except by kneeling before the manger at Bethlehem and adoring him hidden in the weakness of a new-born child.