“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” (Micah 5:2)

I love that verse. It’s the classic underdog tale. We love underdogs. We like rooted for the unexpected winner. That’s who Jesus was. But he wasn’t really an underdog; he just seemed that way.

When we think of the birth of royalty, we think grand. Think of the birth of Princess Charlotte in England’s royal family. It was huge news, all over the place. Everyone waited anxiously for the day the birth would happen, and when it did. It was the top story on all the major news networks. Yet Jesus’s birth, had he been born in our day, would have been barely noticeable. Why?

This verse says it all. Bethlehem, a small town not even large enough to count among the larger clans of Judah, was the town God chose to bring his son to this earth. Could he have chosen Jerusalem? Sure. But he didn’t. He chose Bethlehem, the most unlikely of choices to. birth a king.

Why?

Because that’s how God works. Just like he chose a stable rather than palace. Just like he chose a young, unwed girl instead of a queen. God chose the most unlikely and most humble circumstances to send a message.

God doesn’t need earthly circumstances to do great things on earth. All he needs is someone willing to let him work.

Mary did nothing more than say, “I am the Lord’s servant.” She let God work through her to complete one of the greatest miracle in history. If God can do that through one humble person, think of what he can do through each of us if we only let him.

Bethlehem too little? Too humble? Too insignificant? Too perfect. It’s exactly what God needs. Do not ever feel like you are too insignificant for God to use you to do incredible things.

Merry Christmas, everyone!