The King is coming!
As darkness fell, it appeared like a tiny bright speck just above the western horizon. Like magic they watched it, pulsing with purpose, drawing them in, growing brighter………….
It was hot by day and cold by night and yet they came; the travelers as they crossed the vast sands of deserts, forests hills and mountainous valleys. There was tiredness and weariness for man and beast, yet they pressed on. Resting by day and moving on by darkness following the heavenly sign they had seen a month ago; a star, rising and beckoning them with wonder: something unusual is going to happen, something new and promising. Its bright beam-like burst of light appeared to carry a message when it touched them and showed on the path ahead. Encased in the light of that brightness they felt a sensation of warmth, wellness; peace with justice; compassion. Surely, heaven to earth in glory with humbleness and grace, a special strong One, a King is coming. A gift vision, fit with redemption yet clothed in lowly cloths of poverty and simplicity. A God-man. A new beginning.
Yes, there it appeared. So they stopped to inquire of those who would know the ancient wisdoms but were disappointed by their reaction. Had they not seen the star? There appeared to be anger among them with envy and disturbance at the revelation. ’Bethlehem;’ they said, ‘is where this One may be found.’ ‘Oh and if you find him let us know, so we too can honour him’ But as the door closed behind them they could hear them laughing and ridiculing the messengers.
Yet, as the travelers were shown the door, they looked up and there again was the star, still brighter and clearer, inviting: ‘Come and see!’ pointing ahead to a place just outside the neighbourhood across the tracks away from the traffic and ruins of the city.
Its entry-way was shabby and smelled like a barn, humble; but there in the corner were shepherds silently standing round and staring at a manger. Yes, look a newborn baby-boy was lying in that manger, swaddled in cloths with a beaming couple sitting nearby, who said they were Mary and Joseph from Nazareth. ‘This is Jesus,’ they said. The travelers came near, knelt and worshipped. Opened their backpacks and gave gifts fit for a King; gold precious and costly; fankincense to heal wounds and clear away the earthy smell and myrrh to cover pain and honor this sacrificial Godly appearing precious life.
‘Jesus’, the angel had said: ‘Call Him Jesus, for He will save (his) people from their sins.’
SURELY, the prophet had foretold: Surely, He has born (will bear) our griefs and carried our sorrows….Surely, He was wounded for our transgressions; and……Surely, He was bruised for our iniquities; and…….Surely, the chastisement for our peace (will be) were upon Him, and……. Surely, the Lord hath laid on Him……….the iniquity of us all…….
Later the apostle John testified: ‘Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ into the world’.
O come all you faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come let us adore Him!
JS December 4, 2024
Hear Handel’s Messiah ‘Surely’
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On the Road 