Nougat 25

It’s the most wonderful time of the year I confess, Christmas is so dear to my heart. Both for the celebration of Jesus’ birth and the symbolism, actually the memories the season evokes.

I remember having my first profound experience of Jesus being Savior of the world at a Christmas pageant, being swayed by ‘O Holy Night’, to which I danced, to auditioning for the role of Mary and being cast as an angel, to eventually associating gifts with the season and the discernment of Jesus being The Gift Who keeps Giving. As I got older and understood that it wasn’t the day, but the Fact of His birth, I recall working with friends and siblings to present the Gospel in impactful and different ways each year.

Thus, among my favorite memories of the season are the various readings and prophecies surrounding Christ’s birth and role. Included among them is today’s Holy Nougat

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.” ‭‭Micah‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A Ruler of Israel

The prophet Micah is not as popular or widely read as Jeremiah or Isaiah. He seems to have been a ‘commoner’ (his lineage is not shared, despite him being Isaiah’s contemporary), and his message carried more indictments against Israel than words of comfort. Nevertheless, he assures us of God’s mercy and pardon in the face of our contrition.

Moreover, despite the skepticism of some theologians, Micah is the only prophet to name Bethlehem as the origin of the Messiah, whom Micah had previously described as a shepherd-king (see chapters 2, 4 and 7). With Ephratha meaning ‘Friotful’, we hear the implication of Jesus’ impact. And, should one focus on Ephratha being the name of Caleb’s wife, who descended from Perez (Judah’s son via Tamar), it still connects to Jesus’ Davidic lineage. So of what significance was Bethlehem?

Bethlehem, also known as Ephratha, was a small enough town in Judah, which was significant as the burial spot for Rachel, one of the matriarchs of the faith. We gather that it is generally a fertile town, given that the name means ‘House of Bread’, and Naomi-Boaz owned property there (by the time Ruth and Naomi returned home the land was flourishing). And when we consider that Jesus referred to Himself as the Bread of Life, we can see that His birthplace is not accidental.

So Jesus, of Davidic-Perezzite lineage, was born in the Fruitful House of Bread. As a descendant of Tamar and Ruth (implied in the location of birth), we also hear a major promise about Jesus. He had some Gentile lineage; thus we are legitimate beneficiaries to all Jesus brings.

What we also realize is that Jesus is born under Pax Romana, hence it’s no longer a divided kingdom with stark distinctions between Israel and Judah, but a unified country Israel. This also is fulfillment of Micah’s prophecy.

This is the One Whose birth many of us celebrate today. Jesus is outside the expected boxes, yet ticks all boxes that are essential to God’s redemption plan. A Gentile Jew; royal heir born in a manger; whose roots were traced to the distant past, yet Who has since been born and will come again; God-man, sinless Soul Who took on the sins of the world is the Fruitful Bread of Life Who lives in our hearts upon request.

O Come Let us Adore Him Christ our Lord!

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May all we seek be found in Christ