Big Plans for Bethlehem

2 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.
3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time
    when she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his brothers shall return
    to the people of Israel.
4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,
    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
    to the ends of the earth.
5 And he shall be their peace
(Micah 5:2-5)
The little town. Once a bustling city, during the dwindling of the kings and the expulsion under the exile, Bethlehem had pretty well lost all influence.  It was the fringe of the Jerusalem suburbs to the south. People just didn't head that direction that much.  But God had big ideas for her, complete with shepherds and kings, and especially - the King.  If God has plans for a place, how much more for a person.  He wants to rule and reign in our lives, and bring us peace. The same One who brought it there can and will bring it here. May He reign in our lives today.