Recently my family attended a Christmas play complete with Santa, Disney princesses, drummer boys that floated to the ceiling while they played and a finale that would blow your mind. As Mary and Joseph and Jesus were elevated on one level of the stage, a real elephant bowed down to Jesus. Camels, wise men and hundreds of singers fluttered about singing praise to Jesus. Confetti flew about as the live orchestra hit its final note.
It struck me pretty hard that so many Christmas plays show this kind of pomp and circumstance which Jesus absolutely deserved, but that He got none of.
That first night He entered earth as God wrapped in human flesh, He came humbly. He had no elephants bowing, no confetti, no massive crowd to sing His praises. He just had the harshness of a wooden manger and two parents that loved God enough to obey Him and parent His only Son while He was on earth.
This humble beginning was not what Jesus deserved. But the first time He came, He came as a humble servant, born to die for you and for me.
Christmas plays often show what He deserved but not the reality.
But don’t worry. The next time He steps foot on this earth, it will be as King Jesus. He will get ALL of the glory that He deserved the first time. He will get all of the pomp and circumstance. And EVERY knee will bow.
Today, it’s okay to have a simple day remembering Jesus’ simple birth. There’s so much fun to be had with Christmas traditions, but let’s not miss the whole point. Lay aside the stress, the worries, the chaos…and remember that humble baby who came to give His life as a ransom for many. Give Jesus His due attention and praise. That’s why we set aside intentional time to remember His birth. Because He deserves that and so much more.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” ~ Phil 2:5-11
'Just a Mom's' View 