The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: 1st Reading

Micah 5:1-4a

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 bretheren 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.