THE BIRTHDAY OF A KING

With twelve grandchildren, the Martin family has no shortage of birthday parties. Last week, Chloe turned thirteen… a teenager. Next week, Jude will celebrate his tenth birthday… double digits. I remember the days they came into the world. Our family was overjoyed at their births. We celebrated! Unhindered, unconstrained … silly, ridiculous joy filled our hearts!

There is little doubt that Mary, the mother of Jesus felt great joy at the arrival of her first-born-son. Joseph too, must have beamed with pride. But who else was there to celebrate? There wasn’t extended family pacing back and forth in the waiting room, outside of the labor and delivery area.

Who celebrated the King’s birth? Heaven! “A multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven” (Luke 2:13–14).

In the little village of Bethlehem,There lay a Child one day,

And the sky was bright with a holy lightO'er the place where Jesus lay.

Alleluia! O how the angels sang.Alleluia! How it rang!

And the sky was bright with a holy light,'Twas the birthday of a King.

'Twas a humble birth-place, but O how muchGod gave to us that day,F

rom the manger bed what a path has led,What a perfect, holy way.

Alleluia! O how the angels sang.Alleluia! How it rang!

And the sky was bright with a holy light,'Twas the birthday of a King.

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).