But you, O Bethlehem, who are too small to be counted among the clans of Judah, from you will come one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming is from of old, from ancient days. And 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 dwell secure, for he shall be great to the ends of earth. And he shall be their peace.

Forget the thoughts and memories and tradition that comes to you from hearing this. Read it and think it with a fresh mind. It’s a beautiful thing. From the weak, the humble, the poor, comes the strength of the LORD. He has chosen the things that are weak not to put to shame the things that are strong, the foolish to put to shame the wise. For those like me, that’s an immense comfort.