Jesse Tree Day 17: Concerning Bethlehem

Hi and welcome to our Advent devotional, the Illustrated Jesse Tree! Wow, we’re about two thirds through. Anyway, today we’re going to take a closer look at the prophecy of Bethlehem, which is where the Messiah was to be born.


Concerning Bethlehem

A Reading from the Book of Micah (Micah 5:2-5a)

AND THOU, BETHLEHEM Ephrata, art a little one among the thousands of Juda: out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be the ruler in Israel: and his going forth is from the beginning, from the days of eternity.

Bethlehem, by Konstantin Ivanovich Gorbatov, c. 1935. Private collection.
Bethlehem, by Konstantin Ivanovich Gorbatov, c. 1935. Private collection.

Therefore will he give them up even till the time wherein she that travaileth shall bring forth: and the remnant of his brethren shall be converted to the children of Israel.

Adoration of the Magi, by Cornelis de Vos, c. 17th century. Private collection.
Adoration of the Magi, by Cornelis de Vos, c. 17th century. Private collection.

And he shall stand, and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the height of the name of the Lord his God: and they shall be converted, for now shall he be magnified even to the ends of the earth.

Resurrection of Christ, by Carl Heinrich Bloch, c. 1875. Frederiksborg Museum, Copenhagen Denmark. Via IllustratedPrayer.com
Resurrection of Christ, by Carl Heinrich Bloch, c. 1875. Frederiksborg Museum, Copenhagen Denmark.

And this man shall be our peace.

Karina Tabone

Karina Tabone is a wife, mother of four, author, blogger, and lover of Christian artwork. She's the author of the Illustrated Rosary series, which pairs every prayer of the Rosary with beautiful religious artwork. She likes also milkshakes, sunshine, and mystery novels. Follow her on Twitter at @illustr_prayer.

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