Old Testament - Fourth Sunday of Advent

Micah 5.2-5a

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
     who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
     one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
     from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
     when she who is in labour has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return
     to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord ,
     in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
     to the ends of the earth;
and he shall be the one of peace.
     If the Assyrians come into our land
     and tread upon our soil,
we will raise against them seven shepherds
     and eight installed as rulers.