Christmas and Security   

Hopes and Fears Settled  - 19th century hymn  

O little town of Bethlehem,

How still we see thee lie! 

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

The silent stars go by.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth

The everlasting light;

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in thee tonight. 

How silently, how silently

The wondrous gift is given! 

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of His heaven.

No ear my hear his coming, 

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive Him still

The dear Christ enters in.

Prophecy

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, 

though you are small among the clans of Judah,

out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel,

whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."

Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time

when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest

of his brothers return to join the Israelites.

He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,

in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.

And they will live securely, for then his greatness

will reach to the ends of the earth.

And he will be their peace.

Micah 5:2-4

NIV