A royal baby is due...to Prince William and Kate Middleton!
The expected due date is July. Kate has struggled with acute morning sickness and recently spent 3 days in a British Hospital under intense security, while receiving "royal" medical attention. All the world's a stage and at the center is the expected royal baby. Surely Kate will set trends in maternity fashion; predictions on the size and name will headline every talk show and VIP Magazine; the nursery will likely be carefully and elegantly crafted...and then the son or daughter of the heir apparent of England's throne will make a grand entrance into the lives and hearts of us all!
Over 2,000 years ago another royal birth occurred...no fashion trends were set; His name, Christ the Lord, was announced by an angel appearing in the sky (Luke 2:11). The wise men sought him, calling Him "King of the Jews" (Matthew 2); there was no paparazzi following Him with cameras or writing articles about His arrival; there was no stylish, well-designed nursery~ rather His birthplace was likely in a cave...in a King size bed....
...like this
...or maybe more like this
To be sure there was no Fluffo or Memory Foam mattress. Mary did not receive medical attention fit for royalty.
Virtually every part of THIS King's birth was non-traditional by our standards. Mary and Joseph had no physical relations leading to pregnancy; yet, she was pregnant. They lived lives in obscurity. There were no celebratory baby showers. "Mary treasured and pondered all these things in her heart" (Luke 2:19). And while there likely was much chatter from sheer shock, I doubt there was much awe of this baby who would be born a King, yet die the lowest of commoners death!
It's Christmastime...with Black Friday and Cyber Monday! Prolific parties, dazzling decorations, merry music, generous gift giving, family feasts...
...but how much wonder and awe and joy does the birth of the Christ child bring you at Christmas? Do you, like Mary, treasure and ponder these things in your heart?
"Sing my soul, the greatness of the Lord.
Rejoice my spirit, rejoice in God my Savior.
So tenderly hath he regarded me.
So wondrously hath he exalted me.
All generations shall call me blessed, all generations shall call me blessed.
For His name, His name is Holy.
He is the mighty One.
His mercy is ever sure, His mercy is ever sure.
Sing my soul, the greatness of the Lord"
(Celebrate Life, Ragan Courtney and Buryl Red, 1973)
And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.” (Luke 1: 46-55)
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.” (Luke 1: 46-55)
From the cradle to the grave...to the cross...ALIVE forevermore! That's the only royal birth we should truly celebrate.
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