The Humble Birth of King Jesus

A few years ago, the world anxiously watched as the British Royal family was about to grow. The isle of Great Britian was humming with excitement waiting on the arrival of their new prince. News agencies from all over the world gathered outside St. Mary’s Hospital in London awaiting word. Social media was abuzz … fans and family were eager for news. Then on Monday April 23^rd 2018, Kate Middleton, wife of William, the Prince of Wales, gave birth. 

To the thrill of an eager crowd, a public proclamation was finally made: Prince Louis Arthur Charles was born. The baby boy set a royal record weighing in at 8 pounds, 7 ounces. In celebration of this special occasion, a formal birth announcement was attached to a golden easel outside of Buckingham Palace. Ornate flags were hung throughout the Empire. Kensington Palace released an official tweet stating – “Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 1101 hours. The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.” The church bells at Westminster Abbey were rung. There was a formal 21-gun salute fired from London Tower. And, only 7 hours after his birth, the Duke and Duchess presented their newborn son to the enthusiastic crowd waiting outside the hospital. Bazaar Magazine, Vanity Fair and every known media outlet in the free world announced the birth. As if all that wasn’t surprising enough, as the royal family traveled home from the hospital, news helicopters followed them televising the event to all Britain. All of this and more was done in celebration of a child (who was at that time) fifth in the line of succession to the Throne of Great Britain.

I said all that for this reason … contrast that birth narrative, with the birth of Jesus. Consider the stark difference, not just in the publication of information, but the vast difference in their beginnings. Think about the royal announcement and the fanfare made in celebration of an earthly prince, as opposed to the birth of the Prince of Peace. On that night some 2,000 years ago, in a quaint little town called Bethlehem, the King of Glory was born. There was no huge fanfare. No gathering crowds nor any trumpets blown. No church bells were rung. No social media announcements made. Nothing posted on Instagram or Facebook. Instead, the KING OF AGES was born and there was no big fuss made whatsoever. 

The only birth announcements that were made at all, were made by angels to some lowly shepherds out watching their flock. Those heavenly messengers told the shepherds to go into town and they could identify the birth of the Savior King, not because He would be robed in royalty, but instead, lying in a manger. I think sometimes we read past that part too quickly … and maybe misunderstand some of the old language. Remember this though … Mary took her newborn Son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger. Just to clarify; a manger is a feeding trough. Dear friends, they didn’t take baby Jesus and put him in some golden cradle wrapped in silk. Instead they wrapped him in rags and laid Him in a food trough that was used to feed the animals.  

Mary wasn’t like the British Royal family and gave birth in a sterilized hospital room with the nation’s best neonatal doctors and nurses on standby. Instead gathered around baby Jesus … the Eternal Son of God, robed in human flesh, were Joseph, Mary, some shepherds and probably a few barnyard animals. What incredible humility is seen when we study the birth of Jesus! What an amazing story of condescension, that the Divine Son of God was born in such a lowly manner! This ought to make every person on the planet bow in humble adoration and say, O what a Savior!  

King Jesus didn’t enter this world with pomp and circumstance. He wasn’t surrounded by dignitaries and world leaders. No one broadcast His arrival on the evening news. Rather, He was born in poverty and obscurity in the backwaters of the Roman empire in a little town called Bethlehem. And yet He was Emmanuel – GOD WITH US. 

While I mean no disrespect to the British crown, the SON that was born on that night, some 2,000 years ago, is not fifth in succession to any earthly throne, but instead – HE IS King of all Creation. The King of Heaven and Earth. He is the King of Glory. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords! 

Jesus was born King and died as King. He rose from the dead as King … and one day He is coming back as King. And friend, if you have not come into right relationship with God, I point you to the King! He is the ONLY one who can save your soul. Trust Him today. Repent of your sins and flee to King Jesus. Turn to Him in saving faith and bow your knee to the King of kings and it will be well with your soul.