The Conquering Child

Here is a recent devotion from EPIC Ministries I think you'll enjoy...

  "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring

            peace, but a sword."  Matthew 10:34

All those who visit our home during this month each year quickly realize this is our favorite time of the year.  As soon as they enter they are greeted with a wide array of colorful seasonal displays which all promote the joy of the season and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  There is, however, one mandatory requirement that must be met to gain entry:  you must leave your gloomy faces and any ‘Bah Humbug’ attitudes at the front door.  No Scrooges are allowed in this place dedicated to celebrating the coming of our King.  Joy to the world the Lord is come!  Let earth receive her King! 

There are many reasons why I particularly love this time of year.  I love how the END of each year is always marked with the celebration of the birth of the One Who is the Beginning of all things.  No matter what the year has brought to our lives, good or bad, we end the year by celebrating the One Who orders our steps and causes all things to work together for our good and His glory.  What an awesome way to get prepared for the coming year.  Then, I love watching how the birth of one small Child born of a virgin in a stable in Bethlehem centuries ago continues to radically impact all of society, especially at this time every year.  Looking at things from a completely different viewpoint I find it humorous watching the man size attempts so many make to suppress or change the real reason for the season.  No matter how hard they try their efforts are always in vain.  Nativity scenes continue to abound, Christmas programs continue to dominate television, the smell of freshly cut Christmas trees wafts through countless parking lots across the land, families are uniting around food, fun, secret family recipes and overblown stories of Christmas’s past, Christmas songs are played in every store and business, neighborhoods all throughout our cities and towns are transformed into spectacular displays of lights and ornaments of all sizes and shapes, and it’s all because UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN, UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN!  Hallelujah! 

Lastly, I love the fact that at this time of the year even the naysayers cannot deny that something special happens throughout the land, and the singular reason for the change is the birth of the Christ Child.  Year after year from Thanksgiving to New Years tens of millions of people become infatuated all over again with the story of a meek and mild little Child Who was born in a lowly manger.  After all, who doesn’t love a perfect story about a perfect BABY?  Conversely, I find people during this time of the year more approachable and accessible when sharing the Gospel with them.  At the same time I realize the window of opportunity will close with the beginning of the New Year.  Just because people believe Jesus came as a little Child in no way means they know Him as their Lord and Savior.  Pondering all this reminded me of the old spiritual ‘Sweet Little Jesus Boy’ made famous by Mahalia Jackson. 

Sweet little Jesus boy, born in a manger. 

Sweet little Holy child.  We didn't know Who You were.

Didn't know you’d Come to save us all, to take Our sins away.
Our eyes were blind, we did not see.  We didn't know Who You were.

The lyrics to that old song identified where people were in 1934 and correctly identifies where they still are today.  The multitudes who are presently infatuated with the Child lying in a manger in reality still have no idea Who He is or why He came.

So let me ask you, Do you know Who He is and why He came?  If you are not careful you, too, might overlook the fact this little Child is not like any other baby that’s ever been born.  This little Child didn’t come to just be cuddled, but in fact He came to Conquer!  Those who momentarily embrace Him as a Child must come to see and embrace Him as the Conqueror.  This Child came as the Deliverer, Redeemer and Savior for all those who choose to believe in Him and His purpose among men.  Make no mistake, this little Child has emerged from the manger and is the Living terror of hell.  The once meek and mild Baby is now the Destroyer of every sinister scheme that could ever be conjured or formed against those who place their hope and allegiance in Him.  The sweet little Child is the incarnate Sword of Heaven Who has pierced the deceptive armor of Satan and forever overcome the wicked scourge that held all mankind captive.  Worthy is the Lamb!

So, Merry Christmas to all of you!  I pray each of you will slow down long enough to take time to rejoice as you gaze upon the manger.  However, I also pray you will not linger there long.  Just as surely as He first came as a Child He is returning as our Conquering King!  Lift up your eyes and look full upon Him Who is our soon coming Redeemer King.  In the twinkling of an eye He will appear again, but this time it will be with a sword issuing forth from His mouth and the armies of heaven following Him.  One thing is certain, Satan and all his demons are not concerned whatsoever that you embrace or even relate to Jesus as a Child still lying in a manger.  However, they are terrified and tremble at the possibility of your seeing Him for Who He now is, Almighty God, KING of kings, LORD of lords, Savior, Deliverer, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Ruler of all.  That sweet little Jesus boy will never again don the swaddling clothes of a baby or lay in a manger.  The Child is now the Conqueror and will soon return as our Victorious King!  Now that’s the reason I love this time of year most of all.