A night of royalty and humility

Over 2,000 years ago, Immanuel was born. Translated into today's language, Immanuel means God with us. The Baby Jesus could have stayed in Heaven. That is His natural home. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the city of David. That night, Royalty (Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of lords) and humility momentarily became one.

The second chapter of Luke's Gospel is often cited as the best history of Christ's birth. Starting in verse 7, it says "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."

God could have notified anyone that night of His Son's birth. He could have notified the Sanhedrin, the religious elites of that time. Instead, He notified lowly shepherds. God could have quietly made known to them that the Messiah had been born. On any other night, that might've been done.

On the night that Jesus was born, though, something more majestic was required:

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Jesus isn't just for the elites. He's ready to start a relationship with anyone who's willing to humble himself or herself before Him and admit that they're sinners in need of God's salvation.

Perhaps tonight, you're thinking that what you've done is too horrible to forgive. That day hasn't come and will never come. The Bible says "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Let's add this Scripture to that Scripture:

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Tonight, we celebrate Christ's birth. Christ wasn't born in a palace but in a manger. His parent weren't royalty, though Mary and Joseph were both descendants of King David. David was the mighty warrior who slayed Goliath in the Valley of Elath.

Jesus promises to live with us forever if we give Him the chance:

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Give Him that invitation. You won't regret it. That's a promise.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!