I love a good fairy tale. What little girl (or big girl) doesn't dream of Prince Charming coming to take her away on his white stallion to live happily ever after in a castle far away? Have you ever noticed that all the good fairy tales are about some faraway kingdom ruled by Kings and Queens and Princesses and Princes? I love that scene in Aladdin where he is entering the city gates. He is accompanied by numerous maids and servants and attendants singing, "Make way for Prince Ali." All of the lowly people in the city gather around to watch the procession. Now that , friends, is a grand entrance!
In real life, people want someone to rally around, as well. Whether it be President Obama, or Sarah Palin, or whomever is the political hero of the hour. Who can forget the speech that President Obama made at the Democratic National Convention when it seemed like the whole world, save for a few conservatives, all believed that Barack Obama was going to be the one to save us all from recession, war, or poor healthcare.
It seems to me that everyone wants a Savior. Someone who will carry our burdens and extend grace and compassion toward us when needed, but also someone who will convict and rebuke us when we are wrong. My Savior did not come into the world as the Mighty King that He is. He did not make His entrance with the grandeur that He deserved. Instead, God chose to send His Son into the world as a tiny baby, born to a terrified teenage girl in a lowly stable with smelly animals. He lived on this earth for 33 years until He fulfilled His Father's purpose, to be killed on a cross for crimes or sins He did not commit, but for the sins of the people of the world, then to be raised from the dead 3 days later, so that the ones who choose Him as their Savior might spend eternity with Him in heaven. I suppose this not so grand entrance is all part of what it is to have faith. But one day, my King will make His grand entrance on that white stallion. There is coming a day when the ones who know Him will be whisked away to a place where there will be no more sorrow, or suffering, or pain. Oh what a glorious day that will be!
My prayer, this Christmas, is that you all share this same faith and have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the King of all. You too, can experience the Peace of Christ that indwells me, if you choose Him as the Lord of your life, repent of your sin, and never look back.
Luke 2:1-20
The Birth of Jesus Christ
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when [1] Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, [2] who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those
with whom he is pleased!”
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Merry Christmas, dear friends!
