They were expecting pomp and circumstance. They got the lowing of cattle and baas of sheep.
They were expecting he'd come in splendor. He came in a borrowed feeding stall.
They were expecting golden trumpets to herald his coming through the streets of Jerusalem. Instead angels announced his birth to lowly shepherds on a hillside in Bethlehem, and a silent star directed the wise men to his humble home.
They were expecting him to establish an earthly kingdom, instead He offered them an eternal home in Heaven.
They expected him to hob-nob with the rich and famous....after all, he'd be a king...and they were looking to be at his right hand. He spent his time with sinners...the down and out, the misfits, the lowest of the low.
Yes, he did not come as the king they expected. But he was the Messiah, no less. And He IS the KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS.
The first time they mocked Him as King. When He returns, they will all fall at His feet, proclaiming Him King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
"Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords" I Timothy 6: 15
"These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful" Rev. 17:14
"And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." Rev. 19: 16
It is significant then that we use a crown as a CHRISTmas symbol. It should remind us that although He came as a man, born in a manger, He will return as THE KING.
As princes and princesses, heirs of the Kingdom, we also shall have crowns:
"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." II Tim. 4:8
"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."
"And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." I Peter 5:4
"And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold." Rev. 4:4
What then shall we do with our crowns? Shall we wear them and sit on thrones beside THE KING? No. Although we WILL rule and reign with Him, we shall cast our crowns at His feet, for He alone is worthy to be praised!
"The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,'Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.'" Rev. 4: 9-11
This CHRISTmas maybe you will want to search for a crown to hang upon your tree just to remind you that the baby did not remain in the manger, but is coming again as KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS!!! Hallelujah to the King!!
Post Script: I completed the above post, then picked up my JESUS CALLING devotional to read in today's entry:
I am King of Kings and Lord of Lords, dwelling in dazzling bright light. I am also your Shepherd, Companion and Friend---the one who never lets go of your hand."
WOW! I never cease to be amazed at how PERSONAL my God is! That in the midst of all that is going on in the world and among the billions of people on this ball of dirth, GOD would take time to notice this little insignificant weakling, just totally blows me away! And, while He is tuned into the most intricate details of MY life, He is also just as intently involved in the details of YOUR life too....at the very same time!!! I hope you get that today. What a priceless gift we have in Him!!!
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