Scene one: A stable in Bethlehem, Judea. There, a group of shepherds kneel before a baby sleeping in a feeding trough (Luke 2:8-20). The society of the day despises these grimy, unclean shepherds, and they can’t believe they’re here. How could they have been given such a privilege?
Scene two: A little peasant home. A group of wise men from Eastern lands stand gazing at the baby (Matthew 2:1-12). They’re powerful, esteemed, and rich—you don’t bring gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh without having money. Their fine clothes and jewels look out of place in this village, but soon they also kneel before this exceptional child.
For this infant would become a boy and this boy would become a man; and this man would be found to be so much more: A carpenter by trade, but a King by birth. The God of the universe was visiting His people in person (John 1:1).
From the beginning, it was clear that this King would be different from others. As those shepherds knelt down, we saw that He’s a King for the Jews; and as those wise men knelt down, we saw that He’s a King for the Gentiles. When a fisherman knelt down, we saw a King for the workers (Luke 5:8); and when a centurion sought His help, we saw a King for the rulers (Matthew 8:8-9). And what kind of King hangs out with both priests and sinners? (Luke 7:36-38).
The real gift of Christmas is not more goodies under a tree, but a King and a Lord who came for every one of us. You can be wealthy or destitute, powerful or lowly. You can be burdened with all the shame that your sins have brought upon you. Yet this King will accept you, heal you, and forgive you as you kneel before Him.
Yes, bowing is most fitting in the presence of the King born for all.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 John 1:1-10
More:
Read Philippians 2:9-11 to see the words that Paul used to describe Jesus as the true King of heaven and earth.
Next:
Why would you feel unworthy to be in the presence of King Jesus? Why would you think others are unworthy of Him?
dossk on December 25, 2012 at 3:34 am
DearSheridan, What a meaningful contrast. He came as a King for the poor and marginalized people[Shepherds]. He came as a king for the Philosophers and scientists[wise men]. He came as a King for the illiterates[shepherds].He came as a King for the intellectuals[wise men]. He came as a King for colored people [Shepherds] .He came as a King for whitish people[wise men]
omegaman92 on December 25, 2012 at 12:13 pm
My brother/sister in Christ, I find it somewhat odd that as a Christian you would make such a bold distinction as to refer to the colored people as the illiterates, poor, marginalized and the shepherds, and the white people as the wise men, intellectuals, Philosophers and scientists. It is not for me to judge, but this message could be viewed by some to be racially biased. I do not believe that the God I serve would make such a sweeping generalization, and nowhere in the scriptures does it make reference to race or color. So my Christmas present to you is to examine your heart, and examine your soul before you share your thoughts with the world. May God Bless and Keep you; and may you and yours have a very Merry Christmas.
dossk on December 25, 2012 at 9:07 pm
Dear Omegaman92
Thanks for expressing your view. I am myself a colored man. Sheridan rightly pointed out that “a king born for ALL. The Christmas story is meant for the whole humanity and to ALL people groups.
No harm is meant of anyone.
dossk on December 25, 2012 at 8:20 pm
Dear Omegaman92
Thanks for expressing your view. I am myself a colored man. Sheridan rightly pointed out that “a king born to all”. In Christmas story all kinds of people groups are covered. That is what I was showing. No harm is meant of anyone.
dossk on December 25, 2012 at 8:33 pm
Dear Omegaman92, Thanks for expressing your view. I am myself a colored man. What I was saying is that the Christmas story is meant for ALL people groups.[a king born to ALL]. No harm is meant of anyone.
dossk on December 25, 2012 at 8:41 pm
Dear Omegaman92
Thanks for expressing your view. No harm is meant of anyone.In the Christmas story, Jesus becomes the King for ALL people groups.[a King born for ALL] I only pointed out that. I am myself a colored man
May your Christmas be joyful.
christiansuffer on December 28, 2012 at 1:31 pm
I absolutely agree that Jesus came for all and to save all…I also agree there isn’t any reason to make distinctions of any kind..Jesus is the God of all races…Color, race, nationality etc, it doesn’t matter…Isn’t it something that God is a God of such diversity in this world of ours…Praise his holy name…