The Royal Birth

The Manger King 
Terry R. Baughman

“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2 NKJ).

Multitudes of people worldwide follow the lives and stories of the Royals in the United Kingdom. Their lives are often plagued with the ever-present paparazzi flashing pictures and recording video of their every move and actions. The wedding of Prince Charles to Diana Spencer in 1981 was viewed on global television by 750 million people while 600,000 spectators lined the streets to catch a glimpse of their arrival at St. Paul’s cathedral. The birth of two sons, William and Harry, were the constant source of news and tabloid fodder. Now, another generation later, people are still intrigued by the lives of the royals and the birth of William and Kate’s children, George, Charlotte, and Louie. 

What a stark contrast between the births of these children of privilege when compared to the birth of Jesus on that first Christmas eve. No one crowded around to catch a picture, or to get the scoop for tomorrow’s news headline. There were no reporters, spectators, or important people lining up to pay their respects to the newborn. Instead there was no room and no provision for this future king to make His entrance into this world. 

He chose a birthplace of obscurity. He intentionally came as a servant and sought no acclaim for Himself. Even when the kings from distant places came seeking Him, they wrongly assumed He would be in the palace, in a place for royalty. It was scribes that resorted to the ancient text to reveal that Bethlehem would be the birthplace. The Prophet Micah wrote, “Bethlehem …, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, ….” (Micah 5:2 NIV).

Though it was not readily apparent, the greatest gift of all came wrapped in the straw of a feeding trough, a manger, in an obscure place, a stable in the outskirts of a small town in Judea, Bethlehem. A ruler, a king, was born in humble surroundings, only to be revealed as the future King of Israel. 

The contrast remains. He requires no lineage of royalty, or no pedigree of prestige to be acknowledged by Him. He calls the lowly, the underserved, the disenfranchised. All are welcome at His manger … and in His regal presence. The servant was really a King. The manger was really His throne. His Glory brought peace to the whole world. We could use some of that right now… and it’s available. Jesus said, and still says, “Come unto me and find rest for your souls.” (See Matthew 11:28.)

Join the wise men from the East and come to worship Him, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.


Theme passage:
“There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:11-12 NKJ).