Advent blog – December 17

A very unroyal birth

One of the most familiar carols is, “ Away In A Manger”.

Of all the events that have shaped human history, one moment stands above the rest. The moment was not filled with fanfare or frills but fantastic nonetheless. It was the day when God became a man, a day when baby Jesus was born. That event has been marked by all historical events being classed as either BC or AD.

Jesus traded all of heaven for a human life. It was not enough for Jesus to come to earth, but He came to humble circumstances. Earthly royalty would have had specific circumstances: political power, privilege, position, prestige, possessions.

The following poem tells us why this Kings of Kings had such an “unroyal” birth and life.

“Why Lord, why?

Why did you exchange the spaciousness of heaven

And the warmth of God the Father’s presence

For the squalor of a manger on earth and the limitation of life as a man?

Why did you who made the heavens, the mountains, the stars, the sun

Strip yourself of your glory to become a helpless, homeless baby?

Why did you come here, to this little town of Bethlehem?”

“I came, my child, because I love you.

I have always loved you, I will always love you.

I came to rescue you from the clutches of the evil one.

To be your Saviour, to bring you life I enjoy.