December 15 – Micah 5 : 2-5a

But 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. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace. 

All of us are called by a name.  Some are called by multiple names.  To most I am Jordan.  To my Nephews I am Uncle J.J.  When I got in trouble I was Jordan James.  To some I’m Mr. Hofmeister (although I don’t think I’ll ever get used to being called that).  Some of us are called Mom or Dad, Grandma or Grandpa, Doctor, Nurse, and even Pastor.  There was Alexander the Great, Ivan the Terrible and Richard the Lionheart.  Jesus was called many things.  He was called Immanuel, Lamb of God, Light of the World, the Messiah, the Savior, the Almighty One.  Before his birth, the great prophets predicted his coming.

The Prophet Isaiah 9:6 proclaims:

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

He is the Prince of Peace.  What does that mean?  Will he end all conflict?  Will he bring the end of war and bring peace to the world?  The Jews wondered the same thing.  The prophet Micah does not say that he will bring peace but that he will “be our peace”.  He is the peace within us.  He brings us into a spiritual harmony with God and helps us to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit.  He lives in our hearts and listens to our prayers.  The peace of a baby born in manger and who died on the cross.  The peace that comes with knowing he saves us from our sins.  The peace of grace.

May the peace of the Lord, Jesus Christ be with you.

Written by Jordan Hofmeister, HPC Choir Director and Elder
What am I passionate about at Heritage?
“Helping to lead the congregation in worship through music.”