Once In Royal David's City (Stanza 2)

 

Triumphal Arch of Titus, seen from Colosseum {2018}

When kings arrive on the scene, they let their presence be known with a retinue of courtiers and guards. For the Roman emperors, it was insufficient to have parades in their honor. Especially after winning wars, they had permanent triumphal arches built in their honor--so everyone could remember their magnificent entrance.

Today, even when a newborn prince or princess enters the world, it makes headline news around the globe.

When the Son of God made His appearance on earth, there were no photo-ops of Mary with her newborn to be splashed on Google headlines. It was the calloused, roughened hands of a common carpenter that first held Him. There was no royal surgeon present. Did Joseph have to use a wood carving knife to cut the umbilical cord?

The birth announcement was made by angels--but they didn't tell it to the power brokers. Instead, it was unnamed shepherds who were told where to find this Baby in a feeding trough. They didn't announce, "The Creator of heaven and earth just arrived," but "a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)

It should be no surprise that as an adult, Jesus shared his days and nights with a rag-tag group that included insignificant fishermen. His ministry was to those who were avoided for their leprosy, despised because they were prostitutes, judged for being tax collectors.

None of it changed or tainted the fact that He Himself was sinless to save the sinner and powerful to heal the broken.

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 meek and lowly,
Lived on earth, our Savior holy.