Humble King – Woo Hoo!

A young teenage girl who had never slept with a man became pregnant. A birth announcement was made by a mighty army of otherworldly beings. An eternal supernatural King was delivered in a dirty smelly barn. An astronomical phenomena led a camel riding band of scholars on the adventure of their lives. God’s Son did not think so much of Himself that He had to cling to the advantages of deity but instead took on the status of being human.

Reflections such as these elicit a deep exuberant response in me. Sometimes I feel like a wiggly third grade boy quivering to get out of his seat to run and play. The truth of it, the enormity of it, the genius of it begs me to jump out of my seat and yell…Woo Hoo! The silence of reflection is waiting to be shattered with the noise of shouting and singing.

The daily reading of Grace Notes by Phil Yancey gives us ample reason for responding with some unbridled praise as he expands on the thought of this humble King, “The God who roared, who could order armies and empires about like pawns on a chessboard, this God emerged in Palestine as a baby who could not speak or eat solid food or control his bladder, who depended on a teenage couple for shelter, food, and love.

“In London, I caught glimpses of the more typical way rulers stride through the world: with bodyguards, and a trumpet fanfare, and a flourish of bright clothes and flashing jewelry. Queen Elizabeth II had recently visited the United States, and reporters delighted in spelling out the logistics involved: her four thousand pounds of luggage included two outfits for every occasion, a mourning outfit in case someone died, forty pints of plasma, and white leather toilet seat covers. She brought along her own hairdresser, two valets, and a host of other attendants.

“In contrast, God’s visit to Earth took place humbly, in an animal shelter with no attendants present and nowhere to lay the newborn King but in a feed trough. A mule could have stepped on him. ‘How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given.’”

Only one thing left to say…..WOO HOO!

Above: From our collection of Christmas Ornaments - Dayspring 2002
Left: Hallmark Heavenly Angels series 1992
Top: Nativity purchased at Hinton Railroad Days 1993