Jesus’ coming heralds great joy for mankind and at the same time the announcement of His coming starts the clock ticking to His death, burial, resurrection, return, and His Reign.

Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

A child will be born – Oh the wonder and glory of the incarnation, God dwelling bodily in a human frame. The Carpenter from Nazareth was the Great I Am. That baby in the the manger was the Ancient of Days.

The baby born is also a Son who is given. His givenness expels sin from the human condition and once for all settles the debt that humanity owes because of its rebellion to God. He came to die and pay for our sin. He came to take our penalty. We can’t stop at the wonder of His coming, we must also see Him in the manger as a given son.

At the same time, we can’t stop at the wonder of His givenness for the sins of the world. In the announcement of His coming and His givenness is also the declaration of His everlasting kingdom. The announcement of His coming also announces His return and reign. Consider that the fullness of His calling was identified and declared before He ever came - The government of the kingdom of God will be upon His shoulders and He will reign forever.

It can’t be overlooked or understated, the pronouncement of the coming of this child was also the pronouncement of His reign on the earth (on David’s throne) for ages and ages to come.

We must recognize His first coming as a starting point that sets in motion a cosmic chain of events. This thing doesn’t end with a baby born, or a son given. It ends with the kingdoms of this world becoming the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ and He shall reign forever and ever.

The scene in that Bethlehem stable was a declaration of His glory and kingship. The heavenly hosts attending were the armies of heaven’s angels. In other words, who He is as the Lord of heaven’s armies was just as true of Him when He was in the manger as it will be in His Second Coming when He returns with hosts of angels in flaming fire (2 Thes 1:7-8).

Let’s allow the wonder of who He is in His kingship impact us just as deeply as the wonder of who He is in His incarnation.

This Christmas I want to invite us to take a few minutes to Behold His Glory:

Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Lord.

Jesus had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.

Jesus had no medicine, yet they called Him Healer.

Jesus had no army, yet kings feared Him.

Jesus committed no crime, yet they arrested Him.

Jesus never took a life, yet they took His life.

Jesus was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.

Jesus ascended into heaven, but He’s coming back again.

The Lion is a Lamb, The Master is a Servant, The Priest is the Sacrifice,

The infant is infinite, The child is a King.