Immanuel in the Manger and on the Throne
This piece originally appeared in the December 21, 1904 issue of the World’s Crisis. Transcribed by Executive Editor Tom Loghry on November 29, 2019 from scanned images of the 1904 World’s Crisis as found in the Adventual Collection at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
At this season of the year we are all thinking of the Babe of Bethlehem, and the importance of the Nativity. The child Jesus was as much the Son of the living God as he is to-day, or ever will be. His birth was lowly but his origin divine, therefore, as we think of him in the manger as a child, we should also think of him as the Christ of God.
Earthly kings wished to get rid of him, for he was in their way; and while he did not through his earthly ministry manifest that kingly authority, nevertheless he was born to be King. All other kings and people must come into subjection to him in due time; and they that assume allegiance to him now will be rewarded in his kingdom, when he takes it to reign. As truly as we to-day believe in his birth, and rejoice for the deliverance he has brought to the children of men, just so truly will he come. “The government shall be upon his shoulders, and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”
He showed by his life-work that he was Immanuel, and all of his earthly career showed him to be the deliverer of the human race, not only in this world, but in the world to come. Sickness, disease and death all had to bow to his word, which showed that he was God with us; and some day when comes to take the throne of his father David, he will manifest his kingship as plainly as he did in his earthly life; and as judge previous to his kingship, he has the right to say who shall be his subjects. Whatever is detrimental to his kingdom, from a Divine standpoint, shall be gathered out. Whatever is for the prosperity and peace of his government will be retained, and it will be an ideal place. A divine King, divine subjects, divine laws, pure territory, as it first came from the hand of the Creator, is the expectation of his people, and will be the realization of all that have the elements of that kingdom in this life of preparation.
How are we to-day as we look to Bethlehem and to the manger? Have we the elements to carry us to the throne? As we look to the babe, have we partaken of the life of the King? As we look to humanity, have we participated in the divine? As we have been interested in that birth, let us be so intensely interested in the coronation that we may be of the company that can “crown him Lord of all.” The necessary steps for us to take can be found in the chart and guide book he he has left. Let us study it carefully for conditions that must be necessary for the fulfillment of our happiness in that day.