Luke 2:1-7 (NIV) “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”
One of the precious traditions for me, every Christmas, was to go to Kingston to St. George’s Cathedral to take in the “Festival of Lessons and Carols.” It was a marvellous worship service that moved my heart deeply each year. You had to get there early. It was always packed. I can still clearly hear the choir boy echoing the first verse of “Once in Royal David’s City” to start the processional. It sent shivers down my spine. I present the hymn before us, as the Advent season comes to a close. May its words stir our hearts as we worship our King.
Once in royal David's city
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her Baby
In a manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little Child.
He came down to earth from heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall;
With the poor, and mean, and lowly,
Lived on earth our Saviour holy.
And our eyes at last shall see Him,
Through His own redeeming love;
For that Child so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in heaven above,
And He leads His children on
To the place He is gone
Prayer: Simply, we say thank you for what transpired in “Royal David’s City” that night - the precious birth of our Saviour. He came from the royal lineage of King David and he will come again to rule from David’s throne someday. Until then, may we make Him Lord of our lives and pay Him the homage He is due. In Jesus’ name Amen
