"O Worship the King"

Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We have seen his star as it arose, and we have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-2 NLV).

I read about a palace in Rome, which has a huge, high dome. Inside that dome, way up high, there is a painting by Guido Reni, known as the CAWN. In order for visitors to see this masterpiece there is a table directly under the dome with a mirrored top. When someone looks into that mirror, he sees that majestic painting high up above. In many ways it is a picture of the birth of Christ. Jesus of Nazareth is the mirror image of God. Jesus is not merely a baby in a manger. There is so much more to His life than that. He taught, preached, and healed many people. Through all of this, He showed us what God is like! Then, after His ministry and crucifixion and resurrection He returned to the throne of glory, where He waits to come back for the Second Advent to gather His church.

Perhaps you have heard of the famous parable of the birds by Louis Cassels. It was Christmas Eve and a man's wife and children were getting ready to go to church. However, he was not going. He said to wife, “I simply can't understand what Christmas is all about.” It had been snowing all-day and becoming harder as the man's family rode off without him to church. He pulled up a chair beginning to read the newspaper. A few minutes later there was a thudding sound at the kitchen window. When he went to see what it was, he found a flock of birds out in the back yard. They had been caught in the storm. In a desperate search for shelter, they were trying to fly through the kitchen window. He was a good and a kind man. He tried to think of something that he could do to keep the birds from freezing. He put on his overcoat, boots, and stomped out through the deep snow thinking to himself: "The barn, that will give them a nice shelter". So he opened the barn door and turned on the lights; however, the birds wouldn't go in. Then he thought food might bring them in. So he tromped back to the house, got some crumbs and sprinkled a trail with them on into the barn. But the birds ignored the crumbs and went right on flopping around helplessly in the snow. He started walking around, waving his arms, trying to guide them into the barn, but they scattered in every direction except into the warm, lit barn. The man thought to himself, "They find me a strange and terrifying creature. I can't seem to think of anyway to let them know that they can trust me". So, puzzled and outdone he thought about that fact for a little while. Then he thought, "If only I could be a bird myself for a few minutes I could lead them to safety. If only I could be a bird myself.”

Later that night he finally realized what Christmas was all about! We have such a marvelous opportunity to worship Him. Through all of the activities we participate in, place Him above all else. He truly is “the way, the truth, and the light” leading us to eternal life. Christmas is the greatest story of God’s grace apart from the cross event. Like the Apostle John we all can marvel and say, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes on Him might never die, but have eternal life.” O, worship this King!