Advent Meditation
December 3, 2009

Day 5 – Once in Royal David’s City
Scripture: Luke 2:12

Yesterday we read the prophecy that the promised Messiah would be born in the little town of Bethlehem and today we read the fulfillment of that prophecy.

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.

It is a hymn that causes us to think even more of the humble beginnings of Jesus, the King, the Lord of all. How could the King of Kings be so humbled? The words speak of Jesus’ obedience to the Father. They point us to the day when we will bow before Him, not in the lowly stable, but in heaven as He sits at God’s right hand.

Words to Ponder: Turn in a hymnbook and read the words to all the verses. Notice the description of Christ’s humble beginnings and His description as God and Lord of all. Would those humble beginnings have affected your acceptance of Him if you had been present in the stable? How do you see Him now?

Prayer Requests: 1) Over the Thanksgiving holiday our pastor here at 1st Presbyerian and his family were visiting their family in South Carolina. On Thanksgiving Day Susannah, his wife, had a grand mal seizure and a brain tumor was discovered. They returned to Jackson Monday and since then have had multiple tests and doctor visits, finally ending up today with a neurosurgeon in Memphis. I do not know the results of that visit but some sort of treatment will be necessary. They have four children: two sons in their early twenties and boy and girl twins who are about fifteen. Please pray for Susannah's healing, for the medical folks who will be treating her and for the family as they make decisions. 2) Back pain woke me last night and this morning it was worse. I believe it is bone pain, a side effect of the chemo drug being administered. Today I have rested, have taken pain meds and have kept heat on my back. Please pray that the side effects will be lessened and that I may resume my normal routine. God knows our needs--Susannah's and mine. I am confident in His faithfulness!!

Blessings,
Pastor Margaret