When’s the last time you welcomed someone special into your home?
We hosted my parents for my daughter’s baptism earlier this year. They stayed for a couple nights at our house. We prepared for their arrival. Sure, they’re family, but we wanted to be good hosts.
We made sure the house was clean, including the bathroom they’d share with our kids. We bought extra food at the store. We made sure there was extra bedding available. We kept the schedule more open than normal, so we could spend time with them.
Neither of my parents are royalty - not a king, nor a queen. We wanted to welcome them well, nevertheless.
Christmas is the first time we see King Jesus welcomed in the Bible. In Luke 2, we read about shepherds leaving their fields to meet the baby Jesus. In Matthew 2, we read about the Magi traveling a great distance and bringing gifts to Jesus and his family. Later in Luke 2, we read about Simeon and Anna welcoming the baby Jesus at the temple.
But, Christmas isn’t the only time we see King Jesus welcomed. We see King Jesus welcomed a second time in the New Testament in Matthew 21. On what is known as Palm Sunday, Jesus is welcomed into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey like a returning king.
To begin, Matthew noted that what happened was prophesied long before this day.
“This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said, “Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.’
Later, Matthew described the scene.
“Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!”
So, what can we learn from how Jesus was welcomed a second time?
First, the people recognized who He was. They described him as “The Son of David” and realized Jesus was coming in the name of the Lord.
If we’re going to properly welcome The King this Christmas, we need to recognize who He is. Jesus is not a good teacher or a wise speaker. He is not a sweet, cute baby in the middle of a nostalgic manger scene. Jesus is the King coming into the world to shine a light that no darkness could extinguish.
Second, the people welcomed Jesus. They laid down their garments ahead of him and dropped palm branches on the road. These actions represented their intentional preparation for Jesus’ arrival.
Many of us began preparing for Christmas events weeks or months before December 25. Shopping for gifts, unwinding strings of lights, making reservations, and baking goodies - we put a lot of work into this holiday season. Yet, I wonder if we spent as much time preparing our homes and calendars as we did preparing our hearts. I know the external preparation often gets more attention than the internal for me.
Third, the crowd outside Jerusalem worshiped Jesus. They sang praises and blessings to the Father in Heaven and Jesus in front of them. They didn’t just worship Jesus with their actions, they worshiped Him with their voices and songs.
In the church, there is a tendency to swing back and forth between extremes like a pendulum. We correct an imbalance only to overcorrect into an equal and opposite imbalance. Many have said that worship is far more than the songs we sing and this is correct. Worship, in the spirit of Romans 12:1, is a lifestyle - a living sacrifice before the Lord in light of all that He has done for us. But, worship is also no less than singing and declaring the praises of God.
This month, as we get closer to Christmas, we have opportunities to welcome the King.
We can recognize who He is. What if you took some time today to write down who God and how you’ve seen Him at work in your life this year? Where has He been Provider? Sustainer? Protector? Deliverer? Let your reflection provoke your praises to Him!
We can also welcome Him into our schedules. I know you may have made some very deliberate plans. You may be feeling the pressure of a full calendar. But, like the story describes, how tragic it is when the King arrives but there is no room for Him? What if you intentionally opened up your physical calendar or your digital calendar, laid your hands on it, and surrendered it in prayer to Jesus? We all judge the innkeeper for not having anything other than a barn for Jesus, but are our hearts and schedule all that different?
Finally, we can worship Jesus this Christmas. What if you carved out 15 minutes in the next few days to play 3-4 Christmas songs about Jesus’ birth and what it means? Even if you have to sneak into your closet, close the door and play the songs on your headphones so your kids won’t find you there, what might your own private moment of worship do for your soul?
In their new song, “First Things First”, Consumed by Fire sings these powerful lyrics:
Like the words of the classic Christmas hymn,” Joy to the World,” where every heart is invited to “prepare Him room,” these lyrics call us to give Jesus his true and deserving worship this Christmas by making our hearts open and our lives an offering.
During a time when our hearts are full of so much that competes for our attention, don’t forget to pause and make room for The King. I pray we all worship and welcome Him well during this season.
Scott Savage is a pastor and a writer. He leads Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona. Scott is married to Dani and they are the parents of three “little savages.” He loves helping hurting people forgive others through his Free to Forgive course and you can read more of his writing at scottsavagelive.com.
