Receive the King
Today in the town of David a Savior is born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government of the world will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. Isaiah 9:7
“Joy to the world the Lord is come. Let Earth receive her King.” Christian and non-Christian alike are singing these words today. It’s Christmastime and people who don’t give Christ a single thought all year long are singing about His birth. I love Christmas. I love the colors, the smells and the songs. Unlike some other people I realize that the songs like the season itself are two sided. There are songs about Santa and jingling bells and there are songs/hymns about Jesus. So we sing, “let Earth receive her King.”
Long years ago Earth received that King with little excitement. Sure, the whole thing touched a few shepherds and a few other common people but the Earth did not stand still in awe to receive the King. It won’t this year either. Some people who otherwise steer clear of church will go “because it’s Christmas.” Some will put a manger scene next to the blow up Santa in their yard but receive a King? No, there won’t be much fanfare for that.
When I was a child we teased my mother about setting a special table because her friend Georgia was coming to lunch. There were no condiment jars on the table that day. Everything was in cute little bowls all pretty and inviting. Like my mother, many of us get frazzled trying to be Martha Stewart when an important person is coming to visit. The truth is if that person wants to see and be with us whatever effort we make will be enough but we want them to know they are important so we fuss. What if that person were a king? What if he were not just a king but the King? How would you prepare then?
We also sing, “let every heart prepare Him room.” That doesn’t mean fluff the pillows and set out a mint. It means clean out resentment, bitterness, stress and anger to make room for devotion, mercy, peace and patience. Prepare a humble quiet space for love and compassion to come and rest.
How is our earth receiving the King this year? Sadly it seems that the world is receiving Him with paper, bows and 50% off sales. In other words it isn’t receiving Him at all.
How are you receiving your King this year? To be honest I’ve had a rough patch with my King these last few months. I want something desperately that He seems unwilling to release right now. His will is right and I know that so of course I bow to it but it still hurts. So I am receiving my King with humility and with hope that what I am praying for is coming with that precious babe in the manger. The Earth received that King one cold night many years ago. We can receive him every morning. Let your heart prepare Him room and sing with heaven and nature that Jesus Christ is Lord of all.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government of the world will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. Isaiah 9:7
“Joy to the world the Lord is come. Let Earth receive her King.” Christian and non-Christian alike are singing these words today. It’s Christmastime and people who don’t give Christ a single thought all year long are singing about His birth. I love Christmas. I love the colors, the smells and the songs. Unlike some other people I realize that the songs like the season itself are two sided. There are songs about Santa and jingling bells and there are songs/hymns about Jesus. So we sing, “let Earth receive her King.”
Long years ago Earth received that King with little excitement. Sure, the whole thing touched a few shepherds and a few other common people but the Earth did not stand still in awe to receive the King. It won’t this year either. Some people who otherwise steer clear of church will go “because it’s Christmas.” Some will put a manger scene next to the blow up Santa in their yard but receive a King? No, there won’t be much fanfare for that.
When I was a child we teased my mother about setting a special table because her friend Georgia was coming to lunch. There were no condiment jars on the table that day. Everything was in cute little bowls all pretty and inviting. Like my mother, many of us get frazzled trying to be Martha Stewart when an important person is coming to visit. The truth is if that person wants to see and be with us whatever effort we make will be enough but we want them to know they are important so we fuss. What if that person were a king? What if he were not just a king but the King? How would you prepare then?
We also sing, “let every heart prepare Him room.” That doesn’t mean fluff the pillows and set out a mint. It means clean out resentment, bitterness, stress and anger to make room for devotion, mercy, peace and patience. Prepare a humble quiet space for love and compassion to come and rest.
How is our earth receiving the King this year? Sadly it seems that the world is receiving Him with paper, bows and 50% off sales. In other words it isn’t receiving Him at all.
How are you receiving your King this year? To be honest I’ve had a rough patch with my King these last few months. I want something desperately that He seems unwilling to release right now. His will is right and I know that so of course I bow to it but it still hurts. So I am receiving my King with humility and with hope that what I am praying for is coming with that precious babe in the manger. The Earth received that King one cold night many years ago. We can receive him every morning. Let your heart prepare Him room and sing with heaven and nature that Jesus Christ is Lord of all.
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