The Humble King

"While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."

Luke 2:6-7

The Prince of Peace could have been born in a palace.  Instead, He was born in a common stable. The King of Kings could have been placed in a fine cradle, but He was laid in a feed container for cattle. The Lord of Lords could have been dressed in fine attire, yet strips of cloths were all Mary had to wrap Him in. He came to our world the first time in the humblest of circumstances, but when He appears the second time He will come with great power. Revelation 19:11-12 proclaims  "And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself." 

The Power of One

"Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child."

Luke 2:1-5

Caesar Augustus has commanded that a census be taken of the Roman Empire for the purpose of taxation. The man who has declared himself the emperor no doubt feels quite powerful to have his decree obeyed by the "inhabited earth" without hesitation. But the real power lies in the hands of God Almighty. Joseph and Mary must be in Bethlehem when Jesus is born. This is necessary  to fulfill the prophesy (Micah 5:2) that the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem. God uses Caesar Augustus to accomplish His purpose. Since Joseph is of the line of David, he is obligated to go to Bethlehem -- an 80 mile journey -- to register. He takes Mary, soon to give birth, with him. The Savior of the world is about to be born in the little town of Bethlehem. God's promise of a Savior will be fulfilled. Prophesy will be fulfilled. All through the Power of One.

The Gift of Praise

"It is good to give thanks to the LORD

         And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; 

    To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning

         And Your faithfulness by night, 

    With the ten-stringed lute and with the harp,

         With resounding music upon the lyre."

Psalm 92:1-3

Day and night the Lord watches over His children. There is no time when He is not with us. As Christians, His very Spirit lives within us, strengthening us and bringing joy to our hearts. We have the gift of praise to lift up to Him in response to His love and faithfulness. God does not judge our musical abilities. He's not impressed with our talents, nor critical of the lack of them. He wants our honest praise, no matter how we present it. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

The Eternal One

"But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

         Too little to be among the clans of Judah,

         From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel 

         His goings forth are from long ago,

         From the days of eternity." 

Micah 5:2

Micah the Prophet, in about 700 BC, prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. The birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem fulfilled this prophecy, but Jesus did not begin there. He has always existed as the Second Person of the Trinity. "His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity." Jesus Christ, The Eternal One. Fully God and fully man. Rejoice in this glorious mystery!

The Christmas Story

"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

Philippians 2:5-8

The Christmas story is the story of the cross. Jesus was born to give His life on Calvary as a sacrifice for our sins. He willingly died in our place. And because of His sacrifice we may have forgiveness of our sins, a personal relationship with God, and eternal life. But only if we acknowledge our need for a Savior, humbling ourselves and acknowledging our sin. To believe that Christ lived is not enough. The Bible says even the demons believe that. We must receive Him as our Savior and Lord. God's Son -- the perfect sacrifice for our sins.    

The Prophet of the Most High

"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;

         For you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS; 

    To give to His people the knowledge of salvation

         By the forgiveness of their sins, 

    Because of the tender mercy of our God,"

Luke 1:76-78a

Elizabeth, Mary's cousin, has given birth to a son. The angel Gabriel has told her and Zacharias, her husband, that the baby is to be named John. Now, before many witnesses, Zacharias prophesies of the role John will play in preparing the way for Christ. The Lord has not spoken through prophets for 400 years, until now. Imagine the excitement of Zacharias, Elizabeth and all the people around them as Zacharias begins to prophesy. The Messiah will be born soon, and John will grow up to be the prophet who will go before Him. John will live in the wilderness until his appointed time of ministry has come. John, son of Zacharias, "the prophet of the Most High".

Everyone Needs a Savior

And Mary said:

         "My soul exalts the Lord, 

    And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior."

Luke 1:46-47

Mary is told by the angel Gabriel that she will give birth to the Son of God. She is in awe of this news, as she is yet a virgin. Gabriel tells her that the Holy Spirit will "overshadow" her, like the cloud of Shekinah glory. The glory of the Lord. Mary praises God in what is often called the Magnificant. She is a true worshiper of God and exalts Him above anything or anyone else. Mary is an ordinary girl chosen by God the Father to give birth to His Son. An honorable state to be sure. Yet Mary acknowledges God as her Savior. Even though she is to become the mother of the Messiah, she is still in need of salvation, just like everyone else.