A reading from
the Book of the Prophet Micah5:1-4a
The Lord says:/ You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah,/ too small to be among the clans of Judah,/ From you shall come forth for me/ one who is to be ruler in Israel;/ Whose origin is from of old,/ from ancient times./ (Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time/ when she who is to give birth has borne,/ And the rest of his brethren shall return/ to the children of Israel.)/ He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock/ by the strength of the Lord,/ in the majestic name of the Lord, his God;/ And they shall remain, for now his greatness/ shall reach to the ends of the earth;/ he shall be peace.
The word of the Lord.
