Merry Christmas, Beholders! The King is born!

As we celebrate the birth of Christ, it’s easy to become numb to the familiar message found in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 2. The nativity story is so well-known, so well-trodden, that we might wonder: What more can be said? (A lot, actually.) But perhaps the real “Behold” moment of Christmas isn’t about gaining fresh insights—it’s about the posture of our hearts. It’s about making room for Jesus in a way that transforms us.

The challenge of making room for Jesus in our hearts and daily lives has been a theme that has deeply challenged me over the years. One particular memory stands out, reminding me of how easily we can lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. It happened during a seemingly ordinary trip to the Dollar Tree. At the time, Christmas for me felt overshadowed by the noise of holiday jingles and the frantic pace of the season, with little focus on its true meaning—Emmanuel, God with us, the promise of His presence and salvation!

When I was in my early 20’s during the holiday season, while shopping, I noticed a collection of nativity sets sold in individual pieces. Each part—Mary, Joseph, shepherds, the wise men, and baby Jesus—were all displayed in bins to be purchased separately. Something in my heart compelled me to buy every last baby Jesus figurine I could find. I couldn’t bear to leave even one behind. It didn’t seem ok to me. I bought several dozen baby Jesus figurines that day! I can only imagine the confusion of those who came after me, wondering, “Where’s baby Jesus?” and I feel kind of sad for them. But for me, it was a powerful reminder of my deep longing for the gift of Jesus Himself in the midst of this chaotic world—a world that so often overlooks Him in the noise of life.

While our broken and chaotic world often forgets this powerful truth, the story of Jesus' birth, although humble and unremarkable on the surface, is a story of hope and redemption that God has been preparing from the very beginning.

The Promise of Redemption - Matthew 1

Since the Fall, humanity has lived in the brokenness of sin—a fracture in our relationship with God we could not - and still cannot - repair on our own. In many ways, we are keenly aware of this brokenness as it plays out in our personal lives and the world around us. Yet, despite this darkness, we have a hope which can never be shaken—the hope that comes only from the promises of God. In the birth of Jesus, we see the fulfillment of these promises God made long ago to His people.

In the opening chapters of Matthew, we read a genealogy tracing Jesus’ lineage from Abraham to David, and then from David to the birth of Christ. In this genealogy, we see the redemptive story God has been writing through the ages. God promised Abraham that through him, “all the families of the earth shall be blessed,” (Genesis 12) and to David, He promised that his throne “would be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7). These promises find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, whose birth brought for all mankind the hope of restoration and salvation.

Even before Israel became a nation, God had been preparing the way for Jesus to come—a Savior who would restore what had been lost due to sin. His birth, foretold by prophets, was the culmination of a promise made to Abraham, to David, and to all who had longed for God’s salvation. 

An Unexpected Fulfillment of Hope - Luke 2

Yet, when Jesus came, His arrival was not at all what the world expected. For 400 years, God had been silent. The people of Israel had heard no fresh word from Him, and they likely expected His arrival to be marked by a bold rescue from their political oppressors—a mighty ruler coming to set them free. But instead, in the quiet of a small town, amidst the darkness of a broken world, God broke the silence in a way they never anticipated. His promise, manifested in human form, entered the world humbly:

“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7 

In the basest of human experiences, Jesus was born, was laid in a a feeding trough for animals to rescue all mankind from darkness. No fanfare. No privilege. Merely the entry of the seemingly insignificant and unremarkable. 

These world-altering events, though unglamorous, were heralded by a host of angels to lowly shepherds—those working the night shift in the fields. This angelic announcement marked the most significant event in all of history, not for the prominent or powerful, but for the seemingly unimportant. It mirrors the circumstances of Jesus’ birth—majestic wonder revealed in the midst of events that, at first glance, appeared anything but.

This unexpected, humble beginning points directly to the nature of God’s kingdom—a kingdom that turns worldly values upside down. Jesus, the King who came to serve, shows us greatness is not measured by power or status, but by humility and sacrificial love.

The Upside-Down Kingdom

In His wisdom, God has chosen to use the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. We are adopted into an upside-down Kingdom. The world tells us our lives matter when we have power, wealth, and status. But Jesus tells us the greatest among us is the one who serves. Jesus not only taught these truths but modeled them as the King of this Kingdom.

Jesus entered the world in a way that mirrors the Kingdom He came to establish—a Kingdom where the least is given status, where humility is the goal, and where love is the greatest force. He showed us that the way up is down, that true strength is found in weakness, and that life is found in surrender.

Hope for Eternity...and Today

As we reflect on the birth of Jesus this Christmas, we’re reminded our hope is rooted in both eternity and the present. Jesus’ birth marked the beginning of God’s redemptive plan for all of creation—a plan which culminates in the return of Jesus, when He will resurrect the living and the dead to eternal life with Him. This is the eternal hope we have: a future secure in His presence.

But the hope of Jesus’ Kingdom isn’t just for the future; it’s a hope that transforms our lives today. I was reminded of this powerful truth in that simple and impulsive moment at the Dollar Tree. In that moment, my deep longing to gather all the baby Jesus figurines from the shelf wasn’t just about buying a figurine—it was about wanting to keep Jesus as my core pursuit. In the midst of the busy season, I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving Jesus behind, tucked away amidst the noise and distractions.

This deep longing to hold onto Jesus, to refuse to leave Him behind amidst the noise and distractions, reflects the hope He offers to us in the chaos of our own lives. When we grasp the fullness of this promise (His presence!), we are empowered to live as citizens of this upside-down Kingdom of God, where our lives reflect His love, humility, and sacrifice. We are called to pursue Jesus, to live for Him, and to make Him known. As we do, we participate in the story God has been writing since the beginning of time—a story that will culminate in His perfect, eternal Kingdom.

So this Christmas, as you encounter the brokenness around you and within you, remember the hope Jesus brings is both for eternity and today. Let the reality of His presence transform your heart. When we release control and follow His example of humility and selflessness, we begin to live the life He intends for us: true, lasting, and filled with His peace. This is where true living begins.