Nativity of the Lord

 

Merry Christmas! Today, we gather to celebrate the greatest gift ever given—the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We celebrate with joy and wonder, but as we do, we must pause and reflect on the incredible mystery that surrounds this moment. The Savior of the world, the King of all creation, came to us not in a way we might expect, but with humility, simplicity, and love. This Christmas, we celebrate the birth of the humble King—Jesus, who is "Emmanuel," God with us.

In the prophecy from Isaiah 9:6-7, we are told of a coming King who would bring peace and justice, whose reign would never end. Isaiah describes this King as a "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." The people of Israel longed for this Messiah—someone who would deliver them from their oppression and bring peace to the world. Yet, when Jesus came, He did not meet their expectations of a conquering King. Instead, He came most unexpectedly: as a helpless baby, born to humble parents in a lowly stable. In Luke 2:7, we hear the simple but profound words: "She gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no guest room available for them." The King of kings was born not in a palace, but in a barn, surrounded by animals. He was not laid in a golden crib but in a feeding trough. There were no royal attendants to announce His birth, but humble shepherds in the fields were the first to hear the good news. This is the paradox of Christmas: The Savior of the world, the long-awaited Messiah, was born in utter humility.

Jesus did not come as a king with power and grandeur, but as a King who would humble Himself to serve and sacrifice for the good of all. His birth shows us that God's kingdom is not like the kingdoms of this world. His reign is not established through force or violence but through love, humility, and self-sacrifice. The humble King was born to show us that true greatness is not found in wealth, power, or status, but in service, compassion, and love for others. The way Jesus came into the world challenges the very idea of kingship. Earthly kings are often seen as powerful, rich, and regal, surrounded by all the finest things the world has to offer. But the humble King of Christmas, Jesus, shows us that God’s idea of greatness is radically different from our human expectations. In Philippians 2:6-8, Paul reminds us of the extraordinary humility of Christ: "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!" The King of Glory did not come to claim His throne through dominance and control. He came to serve, to give His life for the redemption of humanity.

This act of humility is at the heart of the Christmas story. The Son of God, who existed before time and created the universe, chose to take on human flesh, to be born as a vulnerable child, and to live among us as one of us. Jesus' humility is not just seen in His birth but in His entire life and ministry. He healed the sick, comforted the brokenhearted, and welcomed the outcasts. He showed us what it means to love without condition, to serve without expectation, and to forgive without limit. The humble King did not come to establish a kingdom of power, wealth, and military might, but a kingdom of peace and justice. Isaiah 9:7 says, "Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end." The peace that Jesus brings is not the absence of conflict, but a deep, lasting shalom—a peace that reconciles us to God, to one another, and creation. His peace is a peace that restores, heals, and makes all things right. Jesus' humility calls us to a new way of living. In His kingdom, the humble are exalted, the weak are made strong, and the last are first. Jesus came to show us that true greatness is found in serving others, lifting the poor and marginalized, and offering compassion and forgiveness to those in need. As followers of the humble King, we are called to live out these values in our own lives. In a world that often measures greatness by power, wealth, and success, Christmas reminds us that God’s standards are different. The humble King calls us to serve, to love, to sacrifice, and to be agents of peace and justice in the world. His birth is not just an event to be remembered, but a call to live in a way that reflects His humble spirit.

As we celebrate Christmas, we are invited not only to remember the birth of Jesus but to follow His example. The humble King calls us to put aside our pride, our desire for status, and our need for recognition, and to serve others with the same love and humility that He showed. The Christmas story is not just about what Jesus did for us, but about how His life and death call us to live for others. When we reflect on the humble King, we are reminded that God is with us in our struggles, in our joys, in our triumphs, and in our brokenness. The message of Christmas is that God chose to dwell among us—not in power or glory, but in humility and love. And because of this, we can approach Him with confidence, knowing that He understands our pain, our hopes, and our dreams. As we go from this place today, let us ask ourselves: How can we live as citizens of this humble King’s kingdom? How can we reflect His love, humility, and peace in our relationships, our work, and our communities? The humble King calls us to follow His example, to serve with joy, to love without limits, and to seek His peace in all things. Amen.

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