A Savior is Born

"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 long-awaited Messiah arrives. Prophesies are fulfilled. The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords comes to earth. But not in the way many people expected. He is born into this world as a humble baby. Local reporters aren't there to take his photo and interview his parents about the shameful conditions of his birth. God's Son born in a dirty stable with smelly animals and only a trough for a bed? Could not the innkeeper have seen that Mary was about to give birth? Could he not have given up his own bed for a woman in labor? Jesus comes in the weakest way possible, for who is weaker than a tiny infant? He comes in the lowliest of circumstances. He comes without fanfare. But He comes in just the way intended. For "God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong." (1 Corinthians 1:27) A Savior is born. A Redeemer is given. He will save His people from their sins. And not just the Jewish people. He will also save the Gentiles. Jesus came as a child, and those who want Him as their Savior must come as children, too. "But Jesus said, 'Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'"
(Matthew 19:14)

I want to be like a child before the King today. Wide-eyed and amazed. My heart overflowing with joy and gratitude. We have a Savior. We don't have to wallow in our sin. Hope lives. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Thank you. 

(Thank you to my friend, Sara, for allowing me to use the precious photo of her children in this devotional. "Come as a child".)