The advent season is a period of great joy naturally, but not just joy. It is a time to honour the Saviour for leaving his throne in heaven to reconcile God with humankind and to restore it to its original position - in God’s presence. It is a time for to ponder on how we could have become the object of God’s grace.
Our Lord Jesus is king and therefore royalty. He comes to earth as the King of all kings before whom all other kings must bow. The humility of his birth does not in any way diminish an iota of his royalty. In his humility is strength and glory. That our Saviour was born in a stable makes his kingship accessible to all and not to people ‘in high places’ only.
The nativity teaches us how believers must live in God’s presence; not placing ourselves above others, not seeking to exalt ourselves either. If our Lord who is exalted could make his entry into the world, without all the pomp and pageantry, then we must take a leaf from his humility. It is not our status at birth that determines our effectiveness, goodness or our heart of love. Those are world standards intended to rank us and put us in the hierarchical ladder. Our Lord Jesus rejected and shunned all of that to live an ordinary but purposeful and sober life.
Notwithstanding, at his birth kings from the east came to worship him. They had seen an unusual star and had journeyed for two years until they found the child – the Saviour of the world. They offered him gifts worthy of a king – gold, frankincense and myrrh.
As we prepare to commemorate the advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, we must be set to refresh our minds on the love Christ had for his sheep. He first loved us before we could love him in return. He looked in our direction in love so we could embrace his love in mutual assent of purity and love. He proclaimed “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10b)
Jesus has always been our king though stationed in heaven. At his birth, he comes and makes his dwelling place with us on earth. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.” (Luke 2:14) He reigns forever over us – those who believe in him and in the power of his name. He has returned to heaven where he continues his reign. Then he will come again.
How do you receive him? Is Christ your King? There are kings worldwide but a king like our Lord Jesus Christ there never will be. He is all-powerful, incomparable and indescribable. He loves unconditionally to the extent that he died for humanity (in our stead) on the cross to ensure that we can attain eternal life. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14:1-4)
The devil wants us blindfolded to the fact that we should rejoice because ‘our salvation is here!’ We rejoice in singing adoration and praises to our Saviour, not by drowning bottles of refreshment down our throats and eating sumptuous meals in festivities that do not honour the One for whom we are celebrating the occasion.
The gentile kings – from the east – honoured the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. They felt they had a part to play in this great event. As present-day believers, we also have a real role to play by diffusing the good news – a Saviour is born!
Receive Jesus as your gift this Christmas!
