Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room! When Christ came, few in that ancient culture were even aware of His birth. Just Joseph and Mary, a scattering of surprised shepherds on the hillside, three wise men travelling en route by the star… and, of course, the great company of heavenly hosts. But in the Father’s glorious salvation plan laid out before the foundation of the world, Jesus was the lamb of God born to fulfill the law and the prophets.
When He entered the world through the Virgin Mary at that stable in Bethlehem, He left the throne of majesty where he’d been seated at the right hand of the Father. He entered humanity to live among common earthy things, a juxtaposition of the divine with the earthly – growing to a boy then a man - working carpentry, playing with siblings, boating on the lake, walking the dusty roads, eating with friends, celebrating weddings, studying in the Temple….and doing miracles! He came “from a throne of endless glory to a cradle in the dirt” (song: King of Kings) and he brought a new kingdom, the kingdom of light. All who are willing to receive Him now come into this new realm, all who believe have life in His name (Jn. 20:31).
He came full of grace and truth (Jn. 1:14) and we can receive of this fullness of grace and welcome the light of His truth. When He came, His destiny was the Cross. Laying aside his equality with God, “He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:7- 11 NIV).
He is now resurrected and returned to His throne of glory, seated at the right hand of the Father while we await his return to earth in glory. Oh, the wonders of His love, worthy of our adoration…Let heaven and nature sing!
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