Long ago in a land far away there were angels heralding good news. Good news of a baby’s birth.
Sounds like a beautiful fairy tale doesn’t it?
Except this one is true. And this story isn’t about just any baby. This baby came as the long-awaited savior of the world.
It’s the miraculous Christmas story that we know so well.
The shepherds marveled, while the angels rejoiced, heralding the newborn king.
Hark the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
“Christ is born in Bethlehem”
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”*
I love the words of the old Christmas carol, Hark the Herald Angels Sing (*see the full lyrics). And I can’t even begin to imagine what a majestic sight that must’ve been to have a sky full of angels singing God’s glory.
Their songs marked the celebration of Jesus’ entrance into the world. Finally, there was a way for us to be reconciled to God!
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2
Yet, today, there are still so many who are searching for Jesus’s light.
We have a wonderful opportunity to be like those angels, heralding the returning King.
One of the recent heralds, John the Baptist provides a great example for us to imitate. See Mark 1: 1-8
As the King’s herald I can…
Prepare the way for the king
Recently we talked about making room for the King. Now we must also prepare the way for Him.
And this preparation isn’t about getting the Christmas decorations up or readying the house for the holidays or cooking the Christmas ham. Neither is it leaving cookies and milk out for Santa Claus.
This preparation involves a willing heart and obedient spirit. And it’s about preparing my own heart as well as others’. It’s about being the hands and feet of Jesus at Christmas time.
Tweet ThisIt might look like inviting a newcomer to your home to share Christmas dinner.
Or buying gifts for the tree of hands.
Or how about giving the gift of time well spent with family and friends?
Ask God what he’d have you do to help prepare the way for the King.
Call others to repentance
In our own comfortable lives it’s easy to stay just that, comfortable. Too often we rest on our laurels of our safe Christianity happy with the thought of going to heaven. But let me ask you this: what about the woman at your PTA? What about the troubled teen in the checkout line? Who are you taking to heaven with you?
In other words, we are called not just to shine the light but actually offer the light to others.
Defer to the King
John was doing some amazing things in his time. His popularity grew and many came to him to be baptized. Yet, he didn’t take the glory for himself and he didn’t feel threatened by Jesus’ entrance either. Instead he recognized the authority of the King and deferred to Him.
Am I deferring to the King? Do I consider Him great and me less?
Do I take credit for the success in my life? Or does God get the glory?
When making decisions, do I consult His Word or do I rely on my own wisdom?
Who’s really in control in my life? Me or the King?
What about you?
As we welcome Christmas and look forward to the New Year, I invite you to join me in heralding the coming King.
He came once and He promises to come again. Let’s prepare the way for Him, call others to follow, and give him the honour He deserves.
Wishing you and yours, Christmas blessings!
P.S. As you ready your heart for the New Year, I’d love to have you join me in Grace Goals — the revolutionary way to set goals and achieve change. You can find out more here (affiliate link) and grab your bonuses, including my 2017 Goals Planner before December 23.
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Lovely post Marva. This Holiday season our family has been talking quite a bit about light and how light makes such a difference, especially when it is the light driven by our loving Heavenly Father. Thanks my friend for sharing such a beautiful message,
Beautiful words. Wonderful reminders and encouragements for our hearts today! Needed this! Thank you!
Beautiful post! We should let our light shine and reach out to others more often. It can be tough but rewarding and it is what we should be doing in the first place.
Merry Christmas Marva! Am I being obedient to Christ and being the hands and feet of Jesus and offering His light to other? Convicting during this busy season where I feel like I’m rushing about, I needed to hear this. So often my heart is willing but obedience must follow.
Blessings to you, Marva! Our hearts were both moved by the same song for this week’s post. Yours is a beautiful reminder to honor our Savior in our hearts as well as in all that we do and say. May you experience God’s love and comfort this Christmas… hugs!
Marva, I loved your questions. They challenged me and yes, they convicted me a little too. I need that. I need to be reminded to get out of my safe space and herald the glory of Jesus. Beautiful post, my friend!
What a great word, Marva! Herald the King! Defer to the King!
Yes!
Merry Christmas to you and your family~
Blessings,
Melanie
Melanie, you are always such a great encourager. I pray your Christmas and New Year will be merry and bright.
Let’s herald Him together in 2017!
You are so right that if we want to prepare Him room, we must also prepare the way for Him. I love that God wants to use regular, ordinary people like you and me to herald His message, but we can’t just do it with words- we need to show Him to the world through our lives. Thanks for such a practical and convicting post!
So true, Marisa, our love must be shown by our lives. Thank you so much for stopping by during this busy holiday season. I wish the best for you and yours this Christmas and the upcoming New Year.
Love this beautiful post! I want to be taking full advantage of the opportunities to herald the returning King!
I love this, Marva, “This preparation involves a willing heart and obedient spirit. And it’s about preparing my own heart as well as others’. It’s about being the hands and feet of Jesus at Christmas time.” A willing heart and obedient spirit are so vital! I love the practical steps and application here. It challenges me to be more intentional about preparing the way for the King this year!
This is such a great post!
I will think of this post every time I hear the song this season! Thank you 🙂
Lovely post, Marv! So many ways to prepare our hearts this Christmas, and it all starts with keeping our eyes fixed on Him, and seeking Him in ALL that we do. Thanks for the real life tips of how we can offer the Light to others. Hugs and kisses!
Thank you, Carlie. That’s really what it comes down to doesn’t it — keeping our eyes on Jesus. And it’s all possible because of that beautiful morning when the baby came and the angels sang, ‘glory to the newborn king’.