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While millions wring their hands and fret that a terribly unqualified man is days from assuming the position of “leader of the free world,” aka, the presidency of the United States of America, I take comfort in knowing that presidents, kings, and rulers rise to power, relinquish it, find favor with the people and fall out of it, but the throne of the one, true King is never vacated, abdicated, undermanned, nor manned by someone unqualified.
The One upon whose shoulders the government abides is the One whose birth we are poised to remember and celebrate. He trumps all the presidents and the people and the powers behind them. The world may rage and seem unstable, but there is purpose and a promise because of the child born in a stable.
Most have already forgotten the furor over the legitimacy of our present president’s birth. Where was he born? Where is the birth certificate? Is he a citizen?
Meanwhile, an “illegitimate” child born to a couple of meager means at a time when times were tough…a child whom the husband of his mom (but not his father) went to great lengths to protect from unwanted scrutiny…a child whose birth did not take place in the sanitary confines of a hospital, nor the warmth and comfort of a home, or even the scant comforts of a hotel room, but a child born in a barn in a place that was not his parents’ hometown, while the local townspeople slept unaware and uninterested…THAT child’s birthmillions of people the world over celebrate more than 2,000later.
What Child is this
Who laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
THIS! This is CHRIST the KING, whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Unto us a nation divided down the middle has fallen. Unto us uncertain times await. Unto us a colossal struggle for the soul of a nation belongs. Unto us is given the responsibility of responsible citizenship. But….but…BUT…
“Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. ~Isaiah 9:6
This is a day of grace, my friends.
Mercy said, “I will not give the believer the bad things he deserves.”
Grace smiled and replied, “That is great, but I will do more. I will GIVE them the Good things they don’t deserve and could never earn.”
And then Grace nodded…to a stable…to a Cross…to an empty tomb.
The only popular vote Jesus ever received was when the people cried with one voice, “Give us Barabbas! We will not have this man to be king over us. Crucify Him!”
But…
“Where sin did abound, grace did much more abound.” ~Romans 5:20
Why? Because in that manger, among the sheep and cattle, wrapped in swaddling clothes against the harsh winter air, was someone unlike anyone before or since.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. ~John 1:14-17
Yes, this is a day of grace. This is THE day of grace.
And THAT is amazing.
From me and all of mine to you and all of yours,
Merry Christmas!
