THE KING OF HEAVEN IN A MANGER

In 1948 Buckingham palace published a royal proclamation of the birth of Prince Charles, the first child of Princess Elizabeth. He was born in Buckingham Palace and the announcement was made on national television and radio stations. In Hyde park several canon shots were fired to salute the prince and bells of the Royal Abbey rang to celebrate the birth of the royal child. This prince is the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, King Charles 11.

Quite rightly, this was a fitting announcement for the birth of a royal prince. On the contrary, the birth and announcement of the King of Heaven was remarkable different.

THE SAVIOUR IN A MANGER

On the lower level of a house in Bethlehem the prophetic word of Isaiah came to pass as the virgin Mary gave birth to a son and this Son was Jesus Christ (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 2:5-6). The eternal Creator mysteriously became one of His own. 

Joseph and Mary were the poor earthly parents of God’s Son but at the same time royal descendants of King David (Luke 2:4-5). Jesus came not at the height of Israel’s dynasty but came when the Jewish royal family had been reduced to extreme poverty. 

Although Bethlehem was not the planned maternity location for Mary to give birth to her royal child (Luke 2:1-4). However, the eternal decree of God and the prophesy through Micah was fulfilled in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Luke 2:1-6).

In contrast to King Charles birth at Buckingham Palace, Jesus was born at the bottom of a house amongst animals in Bethlehem. And the announcement of the birth of the King of Heaven was made to poor shepherds.

THE SHEPHERDS RECEIVED THE GREATEST NEWS

In the fields of Bethlehem the Angel of the Lord appeared to the poor and insignificant of society to announce the mysterious birth of God’s Son. It was a secret event to those who were positioned to receive it.

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11 ESV

In first century Israel, shepherds were not allowed to testify in court because their words did not have any validity. However, it was the shepherds whom God honoured and blessed with the most glorious news from heaven. The good news was the birth of the greatest shepherd that will deliver and care for many from the nations of the world (Matthew 2:5-6).

Moses was a shepherd who delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt and David ruled as a shepherd of Israel (Exodus 3:1-12, Exodus 14:15-31, 1 Samuel 16:11-13). Just like Moses and David, Jesus is the shepherd of souls, who delivers from death to life (Micah 2:4-5). The glory of God appeared to the shepherds to go see the Great Shepherd and King.

SEEING THE SERVANT KING

The humility and faith of the shepherds made them the perfect candidate for such wonder to perceive. The religious elite did not get a heavenly visitation, their unbelief would have been an obstacle to such majesty (Matthew 2:3-4).

The shepherds believed the wisdom of God as they heard the truth of the Creator born as a baby. The glory of Christ was revealed to the shepherds in the praises of the heavenly choir  (Luke 2:13-14). He was not just a human king but the God of heaven who became incarnate (John 1:14). As soon as the heavenly choir left, the shepherds left their duties to visit the child. The shepherds saw the Great Shepherd lying in an animal feeding trough (Luke 2:15-16). It was a sign that confirmed the manifest glory on the fields of Bethlehem (Luke 2:12). 

The grand announcement of king Charles’s birth was to showcase his highness to many. But the King of Heaven was clothed in humility.

The sight of God lying as a vulnerable child caused the shepherds to rejoice and tell of the wisdom and glory of Christ (Luke 2:17-20).

"Lord, you were rich beyond all splendour, yet, for love's sake, became so poor; leaving your throne in glad surrender, sapphire-paved courts for stable floor: Lord, you were rich beyond all splendour, yet, for love's sake, became so poor". Frank Houghton 1894-1972

Although Jesus was rich and glorious He became poor so that those who are poor might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). This news was not only for Israel but for the nations of the world. Therefore, the Gospel can be seen and received by those who are poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3). The truth of Christmas is the coming of Jesus Christ to save sinners. In Him, a person can have the greatest gift of eternal life. Are you willing to receive the gift of Christ? Repent and turn away from your life of sin and trust in Jesus, the Saviour and King.