The Good and Humble King

On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords.—Revelation 19:16

There was a king over all the earth. He was good, he was kind, he was generous, he was wise, and he was patient. He ruled justly and benevolently, and in exchange, he asked the people to honor him and treat one another as more important than themselves.

Some of the people did honor him and his rules. They loved the king, and they told others to love the king. The king smiled upon them and gave them good gifts, meeting their needs and often granting them the desires of their hearts.

But he also gave gifts to those who didn’t love or honor him. They accepted his gifts but failed to thank him for them. They also were selfish and unkind to others, even hurting those they didn’t like.

Over time, they openly rebelled against the king. Sometimes he would unleash his wrath upon them, and they would eventually tell the king they were sorry and that they would willingly honor him. But they were fickle, and soon they returned to their self-centered ways.

Still the king loved them and longed for their love and their loyalty. But he knew many saw him as unreachable. They resented his greatness and his sovereignty. He knew he had to do the unthinkable.

So he left his palace, leaving behind his treasures and, for a time, forfeiting his glory, and he went to dwell among the people to show them his love and win theirs. He chose to live in simple humility among the least of those in his kingdom.

Some recognized him and said, “This is our king!” And they praised him for his goodness. But others mocked them. “Are you kidding? Our king is great and powerful. This guy can’t possibly be him.” Though he came to bring them hope and peace, they despised him. But the king still loved them with all his heart, loving them in life and loving them in death.

The king’s name was Jesus. He lives again, and His kingdom shall have no end. He is good, kind, generous, wise and patient, and He came to earth—temporarily forfeiting the glories of heaven—to bring us hope and peace.

His advent left an indelible imprint upon human history, and His name is, perhaps, the most famous name throughout all the earth. But still today, people fail to acknowledge His as the name above all names. As for His hope and peace, most hearts have grown too small to make room for them. Yet still today He offers hope and peace to all who are willing.

Yet to all who received Him, to all who believed on His name, He gave the right to become children of God.—John 1:12

Apart from Christ, there is no Christmas. He is the Giver of the ultimate gift—abundant and eternal life in Him—and His is a gift even the most elaborate or most imaginative of gifts cannot surpass.

May Christ be the center of your Christmas celebration, and may each and every heart make room to receive His precious gift to us. Merry Christmas, my friends!

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!—2 Corinthians 9:15