Once upon a time, there was a King.
Sometimes His people humbly gave the King their simple hearts. Those days were glorious ones, with festivals of remembrance and times of peace, the towering House they built Him of gold and precious stones and acacia wood or cedar and cypress.
But often, they forgot or just didn't care. That's when the King prodded them back. He did whatever it took to draw His people back to their loyalty. Enemies attacked, the land was barren. Thus, heroes ensued, heroes like Esther and Nehemiah and Daniel, who stood up for the King's people, who gathered them back to His land, and who offered the King's promises in the thick of exile.
One hero heard a whisper from the King, and it was a promise:
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,Yet out of you shall come forth to MeThe One to be Ruler in Israel,Whose goings forth are from of old,From everlasting"Therefore He shall give them up,Until the time that she who is in labor has given birth;Then the remnant of His brethrenShall return to the children of Israel.And He shall stand and feed His flockIn the strength of the LORD,In the majesty of the name of the LORD His God;And they shall abide,For now He shall be greatTo the ends of the earth;And this One shall be peace.
And when the days grew long and the years felt endless, those people held onto the promises: this time of waiting and hurting won't last forever, for one day a birth would beget a King.
So they waited.
And the King did come. Amidst the prayers of countless, a decree went forth that the world should be registered, and the King answered His promise by using a young couple in the exact city He promised.
A Baby was born. And somehow that helpless Child was the King's Son who humbled Himself to enter the world.
Not as a King, welcomed by servants and armies with the majestic palace He deserved.
He was born in a barn, and His entourage was shepherds who literally lived in the fields.
Christmas morning, an awesome humility and the craziness that the Maker of all allowed Himself to become like us, to live life. He was the literal King of the Jews.
And yet His people, instead of lauding Him, treated Him with contempt. After a life of danger and people twisting His words and trying to take advantage of Him, He went further to give His own life breath into their hands and died a most terrible death. Because if He didn't, how could those sin-torn people ever come in the presence of the holy King without dying in His presence?
This was humility.
And yet the King’s Son was more powerful than death, and He defeated it the first time, promising that the enemy of death would one day be destroyed forever. Then He left for a time.
The King was gone, but His Helper remained in the land.
But remember the hero's promise? It wasn't complete. Because the King's people were still scattered abroad, and where was peace and this strength that was promised?
Another birth was needed. And the entire world felt it. It groaned and labored with birth pangs. Again, The King's people had to wait, to be loyal, until the Day arrived wherein the promise would be fulfilled.
Seasons passed. The Helper was faithful, and the King's message was spread across the world to foreign nations; children were adopted into His family, waiting.
And they still are.
But one day, the promise will be fulfilled.
This labor will be completed, and the King's Son will return a second time, with majesty and power. Evil will be judged, peace spread across the world that will be refined and made new.
Instead of shepherds, the armies in heaven will follow Jesus on white horses when He returns. He will come as King, as Ruler, and His government and peace shall know no end.
So they wait. We wait. And one day soon, the King will come and judge and make war. Then all will be new, and we will be with Him forever.
And that's the beauty of Christmas.
Christmas was Jesus' first coming, the humble birth of a God who deserved to come in power. What a day to celebrate and rejoice over and spread His good, wonderful news!
And yet, another Day is coming. It's a fearful, glorious Day of hope and judgement and newness. So we must live waiting in loyalty to our Father in Heaven that we may be counted worthy when He returns.
That's what I pray for this Christmas, how I ask my Father to work in my heart and in yours. (and it’s what I fangirl over too, get excited about!)
Merry Christmas to you, dear Friend! I hope it’s full of traditions and fun and joy and wonder! And may it be a day of celebrating the humility of Jesus and the glory to come! ♥
*hugs*
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Price of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His Kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgement and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
- Isaiah 9:6-7
~♥~
