Bethlehem in the Land of Judah

Artwork: Sheila Hamil

If you read the story of the birth of Jesus in Luke Chapter 2 vv 5-6,

you will see that the scribes of King Herod, were commanded by him to search through ancient holy documents

in order to discover where the ‘CHRIST’ (spoken of by the wise men) was to be born.

They discovered that in the book of the prophet Micah Chapter 5 verse 1, there was a prophecy, which read like this:-

And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

You are by no means least among the leaders of Judah,

For out of you will come a leader

Who will shepherd my people, Israel’

This is a song about that prophecy

Read Luke chapter 2 vv 1-18 and answer

Why did Herod wish to know about the Christ?

Why did the wise men’s questions make him afraid?

What did he ask the wise men to do once they found the child?

Why did they not do as Herod wished?

Why did Joseph decide to take Mary and the baby to Egypt?

How did Herod react when he knew he’d been outwitted?

Who suffered as a result?

48 Bethlehem in the Land of Judah: Micah 5.2-4

(to the tune ‘O how lovely is the evening’)

Bethlehem in the land of Judah, land of Judah,

Out from you will come a ruler, come a ruler.

One from ancient times

Israel will be abandoned, be abandoned,

till the time when she gives birth to him, she gives birth to him.

One from ancient times.

He will stand and shepherd Israel, shepherd Israel.

Guard his flock and he will care for them, he will care for them.

One from ancient times.

He’ll be great, this One from ancient times, One from ancient times

And be known around the world, in time, round the world in time.

He will be their peace!