Joy to the World! The King Has Come!
It’s Christmas Day! The anticipation is over, the waiting is done, and the prophecy is fulfilled. Today is not just the celebration of a birth; it is the celebration of a coronation!
We sing carols like "Joy to the World," often focusing on the "joy" part, which is certainly appropriate. But look at the reason for the joy. It’s the declaration in the second line: "The Lord is come!"
The angels announced to the shepherds (Luke 2:11, KJV): "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
That title, "Christ the Lord," is what makes this day so triumphant. The baby in the manger isn't just a prophet or a teacher; He is the Lord—the sovereign King and ruler. His birth signaled the beginning of His perfect, everlasting kingdom.
Today, our worship shifts from anticipating a Savior to celebrating a reigning King.
Think about what Christ’s Lordship means for us today:
Our Salvation is Complete: He is not just our deliverer from trouble; He is our complete Savior from sin and death.
Our Authority is Settled: The "government shall be upon his shoulder" (Isaiah 9:6). We don't have to carry the weight of the world or the burden of controlling our own lives. We serve the King who has all authority.
When we truly understand that the baby in the manger is the Almighty God, the response is overwhelming joy. This joy isn't fragile. It doesn't depend on whether you received the perfect gift or if your day went smoothly. It is a stable, confident joy that rests on the unshakable foundation of His sovereignty.
My encouragement today is to let your joy be rooted in His power, not just His vulnerability. Worship the King! Let your heart declare that the Lord is come, and allow His Lordship to bring peace and clarity to every area of your life. Every good gift we receive today flows from the generosity of our victorious, reigning King.