“The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low; he also exalts.’”
Hannah’s Prayer, 1 Samuel 2:7 (NRSV)
Christ is King
Hannah wept before the Lord, prayed over her life circumstances, and poured her heart out. She humbled herself under God’s hand and in due course God lifted her up. She may not have understood her years of humiliation. But rather than rail against God for her mistreatment, she yielded to God’s movement in her life and expressed thanksgiving when God lifted her up. Her prophetic oracle reveals the wisdom, depth of character, and spiritual sensitivity she gained.
Jesus also humbled Himself completely, in the words of an ancient Christian hymn, by emptying Himself, taking on the form of a slave, and becoming obedient even to death on a cross. “Therefore God exalted him even more highly,” for Jesus is seated on God’s throne, King of kings.
C.S. Lewis once said the ideal government for humankind is a benevolent monarchy, pointing to the evidence of God’s righteous, gracious rule throughout the scriptures. We are indeed thankful that our God is good. Now, as King, Christ commands us to know salvation through Him, and to love one another as He loves us.
Christmas Carol
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh
Come, peasant, king, to own him
The King of kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone himThis, this is Christ the King
“What Child Is This?” William Chatterton Dix (1865)
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring him laud
The babe, the son of Mary
Prayer
You are the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords, the whole earth is Yours to command, and the heavens. Every principality whether earthly or heavenly is under Your sovereign reign. Thank You for being a King of peace, of love and grace, and that Your command means life and hope for those who turn to You.
“For you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people knowledge of salvation.”
The Annunciation and the visit to Elizabeth. | By Daniel VILLAFRUELA, CC BY-SA 3.0
