1n 1980, Jimmy and Carol Owens wrote the beautiful Christmas song, “How should a King come?”
How should a King come?
Even a child knows the answer of course – in a coach of gold with a pure white horse.
In the beautiful city in the prime of the day, and the trumpets should cry, and the crowds make way.
And the flags fly high in the morning sun, and the people all cheer for the sovereign one.
And everyone knows that’s the way that it’s done.
That’s the way that a King should come.
How should a King come?
Even a commoner understands. He should come for His treasures, and His houses and lands.
He should dine upon summer strawberries and milk, and sleep upon bedclothes of satin and silk.
And high on a hill His castle should glow, with the lights of the city like jewels below.
And everyone knows that’s the way that it’s done,
That’s the way that a King should come.
How should a King come?
On a star filled night into Bethlehem, rode a weary woman and a worried man.
And the only sound in the cobblestone street was the shuffle and the ring of their donkey’s feet.
And a King lay hid in a virgin’s womb, and there were no crowds to see Him come.
At last in a barn in a manger of hay, He came and God incarnate lay.
And the angels cried: “Glory! Glory to God!”
Earth was silent so heaven rang: “Glory! Glory to God!”
Men were dumb so the angels sang: “Glory! Glory to God!
Peace on earth good will to men: “Glory! Glory to God!”
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Can we imagine the humility – even the humiliation – that Jesus experienced when He left the splendor of Heaven and entered our humanity? He is King, but He was born in a stable and laid in a manger, not a palace. He is the Creator of the Universe – the second member of the Trinity – yet He was born a helpless baby. He who holds all things together with His hands (Colossians 1:16-17) needed to be fed and cared for by His parents. He “emptied” Himself and made Himself “nothing” (Philippians 2:7). Why? To become one of us. To become God with us – Immanuel. He came to enter our existence and to suffer and die in our place, to pay the price we could never pay. Thank You Jesus for coming to us and for Your gift of salvation full and free!
This Sunday, December 18, the children will lead us in Christmas worship. It will be beautiful. Please don’t miss it! We will also continue our Christmas teaching series, “Old Testament Prophecies of Christ” with the beautiful truth that Jesus would be “Born in Bethlehem!” Jesus humbled Himself to be born in lowly circumstances and thereby shows no heart is too lowly or sinful for Him to dwell. Please invite someone to join you at 10:35am either in the building or online for the Live broadcast on Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We Livestream every Sunday to both locations.
Last Sunday we definitely upgraded our Livestream experience with new equipment and ministry opportunities. For example, we can literally pray in “real time” with people online via chat. One online worshipper wrote that the new immersive experience brought him to tears. I thank the Lord for the technology that enables us to do this and give a Big Mahalo to Russell for making it happen each Sunday. We are praying the Lord will expand the outreach and also make it even more personal to those who are worshipping with us online.
Aloha ke Akua!