Read Micah 5:2-5

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” (Micah 5:2)

In the heart of Micah's prophecy lies a profound truth about the advent of Christ: His absolute rulership.

Micah declares Christ as the One destined to rule Israel. Take special note of that. He is not a president, but a Ruler; not a pushover, but a Sovereign; not a pawn, but a King. His rulership is not a democracy, but a dictatorship, where His rules are all good, righteous and true.

We are adverse to the idea of a dictatorship, aren’t we? When sinners become dictators they are the worst of the worst. But we must remember that Christ is the only Ruler who is perfect with a loving dictatorship. We must not fear absolute surrender to Him who is good.

We often act willing to give Jesus everything but decide to hold back that one thing. Yet, Jesus calls for full surrender — He desires rulership over every part of our lives. As the Ruler Himself said,

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24)

Indeed, Beloved, this call to discipleship is a call to lay down our lives for the sake of Christ, recognizing that there is no true life outside of His Lordship.

We must understand today — right now — that the advent of Christ is not just the story of His birth. It's a narrative that demands a response! Are we like the wise men, seeking out the true King and laying our lives before Him? Or are we, like Herod, attempting to thwart Christ's plan in our lives, holding onto our self-rule? Herod's reaction stands as a warning to us. His mad attempt to stop Christ's advent is a mirror reflecting our own resistance to Christ's rule in our lives.

We quickly embrace Jesus as our Redeemer and Savior — no reservations there! — but we are slow to welcome Jesus as our Ruler and Sovereign. But we must remember: Christ came not only to redeem but to rule! His birth in Bethlehem was the beginning of a journey to His eternal throne. He is not just a Savior. He is Lord and King.

This is what Christmas is truly about, as that famous Christmas carol proclaims:

"Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing!”

Dear friend, let us examine our hearts and lives. The stark reality is that we stand at a crossroads: will we surrender to Christ's Lordship as the wise men did or will we reject His rightful rule over our lives as Herod did? Today, let us decide to make Jesus the One True Ruler of our lives. Let us acknowledge His sovereignty and submit to His loving rule.

“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:16–18)