Christmas day celebrates the birth of a King - our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Denying that Christ is King is about as logical as denying tomorrow’s sunrise. He created the universe and in Him its existence is secure. “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” - Colossians 1: 15-17. Neither the Muslim, the Buddhist, the Hindu, the atheist, nor the Pagan druid have Him for their king, for they do not have Jesus!
Despite the secularization of Christmas, many still understand and believe the adage, “Christ - the reason for the season.” Because without the birth of Jesus Christ there would be no Christmas. More importantly, without Jesus there would be no redemption from eternal death, there would be no forgiveness in Christ’s death upon the cross, and there would be no eternal security in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead! “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” - 1 Peter 1:3-5.
Jesus was born into humble circumstances. He was not born in some regal palace. His first bed was a manger, a feeding trough from which farm animals were fed. His life was lived for thirty years as a lowly carpenter without fame or notoriety. His death was among thieves as He hung from a wooden cross. Humiliation marked His life right up until the final humiliation: as was foretold, the push of a Roman spear into His side while He still hung from His cross. “But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.” - John 19:33-37.
A lifetime and a death marked by humility, yet His burial was among the rich - “Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid.” - Luke 23:50-53. And so in His death, Jesus was buried among the noble and the rich. It was the beginning of His exaltation. All this was done so that we might be justified before our heavenly Father. This is why Jesus was born - to save us from our sins and lead us into His kingdom.
Let us take time today to be thankful for the Kingdom of God, a kingdom without end. Forever reignes the Prophet, Priest, and King! Merry Christmas!
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