The Birthday of a King

As we wind up another year of devotions, I knew that it couldn't be just me writing. So I have asked the other writers to contribute. FYI, I already had the Angel devotion from yesterday, in the works when Lucy sent me this. The following is from Lucy Allen.

“A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders.  He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6

The weekend before Christmas, our son Gregory, daughter in law, Nicole and granddaughter Amelia, came for a few days so that we might celebrate our Christmas together as a family.  We had a wonderful time as we ate and played together.  Amelia had a hard time trying to understand that she couldn’t open presents right away.  When I explained that we wait until Christmas day to open gifts, she said, “That’s Jesus’ birthday.”  Well, Amelia, it sure is!

Amelia had another question as well.  She wanted to know why the Baby was born in the ‘barn’.  So I relayed the story of Mary and Joseph looking for a room at the inn (which I likened to a motel) and all the rooms were full, so the only place left was the barn.  Later she told us exactly what I’d said….the motel was full!

Oh, the simple faith and understanding of a child!  May we, as this Christmas season comes and goes, retain these thoughts in our hearts.  It occurred in a simple ‘barn’ but the birthday was anything but; it was the birthday of a King!

As we pack away the trappings of Christmas and move toward the New Year, keep this thought – that a King was born that night. 

We can carry the celebration of His birth every day within our hearts.  Rejoice at His birth; rejoice as part of His kingdom, Rejoice!

Alleluia! O how the angels sang

Alleluia! How it rang!

And the sky was bright

with a holy light'

Twas the birthday of a King.

--W. H. Neidlinger