Dear Family at Christ Community,

     This Sunday is our final corporate worship service of the year and the conclusion of our Advent series in Micah. Micah 7 will remind us that God’s judgment summons us to wait upon Him alone for salvation. In verse 14, the promise of the coming shepherd in 2:12 and 5:4 leads Micah and the faithful remnant to ask God to “shepherd your people with your staff.” Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., helps us see how this prayer echoes other parts of Scripture:

Micah prays that God would “Shepherd [His] people with [His] staff” (v. 14), not the rod or staff of judgment referred to in Micah 6:9, but the staff of tender care and protection found in Psalm 23:4c: “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” 

~"The Book of Micah” in Vol. 23 of The Preacher’s Commentary

Micah 7 and Psalm 23 both point us to Jesus as the Good Shepherd who continues to guide and comfort us by His staff. Not only that, but He also prepares a table before us (Ps. 23:5). Gathering around a table prepared with delicious food and drink is a central part of our Christmas celebrations. Just as we love it when someone enjoys a meal at our table, so also does our God love it when we taste and see the comfort and joy we have in Christ as we feast at His table. May our feast at the Lord’s table remind us that Christ is the Good Shepherd who willingly and lovingly gave His life for us, His sheep!

     As you prepare to come to the Lord’s table, take time this week to thank God for shepherding our church this past year. Ask Him to continue to guide and comfort us in the year ahead. As part of your Christmas celebrations, reflect upon the greatest gift of Christ’s body and blood given so that we might have newness of life in Him. Ask the Spirit to help you use your own table as a place of hospitality so that God’s family might get bigger. Pray boldly for those who have not yet turned to the Lord in faith and repentance so that next year even more seats might be filled at the Lord’s Table!

Yours in Christ, and Merry Christmas!
Matt