Thoughts for another day

December 22, 2008.

Today's verse: Mt. 1:21. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Over two centuries ago, an angel of the Lord told Joseph our above verse. It might have really shocked Joseph to hear this statement. He would have wondered what it all meant, but since the Bible doesn’t explain much about what went on in his mind, we shall also not dwell on it but rather the import of the message before us.

You know, the Jews were waiting for the ‘Anointed One’ the Messiah. They had read the prophets mentioning Him in Holy Scripture and in all their daily struggles with both, the Romans and their very own leaders, they anxiously waited for Him to relive them of their bondages. At the appointed hour, He, shed all His glory and came to earth, a small frail baby with the weaknesses of babies and the mannerisms of all babies of the earth – hungry, wailing and also a bundle of joy for His parents.

In time to come, He was to tell His people what the meaning of Emmanuel meant; what God’s saving meant. He wouldn’t conquer people by cutting their heads, nor would He usurp thrones of men, although He could destroy them with but a Word. Rather, He took the way of His Kingdom. Truly, His Kingdom was different and it considered the poor above the rich; the weak above the strong. It had room for the sinner and the downtrodden, but the self-righteous, were turned away. All His pomp and grandeur were seen in that Kingdom, as did the sinful woman (Lk. 7:36-50), who upon seeing it, considered it fit to anoint His feet with precious salve! He came to bring the New Kingdom to His people and all those who recognised it, belonged.

Many years later we are going to commemorate His birth, not that He was born on that day, but that this day is assigned to remember His birth. And as we are closing in on that day, are we prepared to really celebrate His Kingdom. Is my heart pure and receptive or filled with pride? Am I open to help the poor this year on Christmas, or am I going to hobnob with the rich, the poor be damned. Genuine joy for the Owner of Christmas will be when we can answer these questions to His happiness.