The scripture reading for this Forth Sunday of Advent beautifully ushers us to the celebration of the mystery of Incarnation at Christmas. The oracle from prophet Micah foretells about Christ, giving us ample information about the Messiah who is both fully human and divine.
“You, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days” (Mic 5: 2).
The term ‘Ancient of Days’ is specifically used for God (Dan. 7:9, 13, & 22). It explains the transcendence of God beyond time and space. Prophet Micah refers to the future Messiah as of ‘ancient days’ who will become a human being in total humility in an insignificant clan and in a tiny village of Bethlehem. Eight hundred years later, after the resurrection of Christ, Saint Paul would write about Christ in a similar way proving what was foretold by Micah is fulfilled in Jesus – “who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped” (Phil 2:6).
This prophesy of Micah was well known to the Jewish community. When King Herod inquired about the exact place of Christ’s birth, his advisers referred to this prophecy to identify the place of His birth as Bethlehem. This prophecy also becomes the reason for the massacre of the young children around Bethlehem; for Herod was determined to destroy the child born to be a king. This prophecy predicts clearly that God will become flesh in a particular time and in a specific place in our human history.
With this oracle, Micah gives us a great deal of information about Jesus in a few words. The place and clan – Bethlehem and Judah would connect the Messiah to David the greatest king of Israel. Here at Bethlehem, David was anointed by Samuel as the chosen one of God (1 Sam 16). Just like David, “He shall stand and feed His flock in the strength of the Lord” (Mic 5:4). Later Jesus identifies Himself as a true shepherd who would take care of His flock (Jn 10). This shepherd is chosen from the beginning of time to rule God’s people, to bring them peace. “He shall stand [firm]” as a judge and a king to bring the justice and reign of God.
All the prophecies of old culminate in Jesus. Therefore, the birth of Jesus is the greatest moment in human history. It is the moment when God definitively showed us the extent of His unconditional love. The mystery of Christ was all hidden in Old Testament writings to be revealed in a simple, tiny baby to be born in Bethlehem.
This week as we prepare for Christmas, let us spend some time in wondering, with pure joy, the magnitude of God becoming a human being; indescribable, almighty, and infinite creator becoming a tiny, little child.
– Fr. Ranjan D’Sa OCD