Today, I’m sharing with you an excellent devotion from Paul Tripp about the real meaning of Christmas, and it’s not just about giving or peace or even just Jesus. It’s about Jesus and you.
After this introduction, I’ll also share the lyrics of an old hymn that set up some beautiful irony about Jesus finding a better place … in your heart.
“Christmas is a story of kingdoms at war—the kingdom of God and the kingdom of self. That battle still rages on the turf of your heart today, fighting for control of your soul. There will never be a truce, and no demilitarized zone exists in any area of life.
These two kingdoms cannot live in peace with one another. Each kingdom demands your loyalty and your worship. Both kingdoms promise you life, but only one can deliver. One leads you to the King of kings, while the other sets you up as king.
Jesus came to earth as a king to dethrone all other rulers and set up his grace-infused, life-giving reign in our hearts. He came to free us from our bondage to our self-serving kingdom purposes and invite us to an eternal kingdom.
Remind yourself this Christmas that there is a King, but it is not you. Tell yourself that there’s a kingdom that will protect and satisfy your heart, but it is not yours …
Remind yourself this Christmas that you have been given the most amazing gift—a Kingdom. The price of that gift was the suffering and death of the King. By grace, he conquered death to establish his rule in your heart.
Today, he reigns on your behalf and will continue to do so until the last enemy of your soul and his kingdom has been defeated. Then he will invite you into the final kingdom, where peace and righteousness will reign forever and ever.
This is the narrative of Christmas. The story of the birth of the Savior King is now your biography …
May the words of this classic hymn, Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne, sink into your heart in a new way today. And may they help you to find rest, satisfaction, and joyful submission in King Jesus!”
Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne
Lyrics by E.S. Elliot, 1864
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
And in great humility.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest
In the shade of the forest tree;
But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,
In the deserts of Galilee.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
Thou camest, O Lord, with the living word
That should set Thy people free;
But with mocking scorn, and with crown of thorn,
They bore Thee to Calvary.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
When the heavens shall ring, and the angels sing,
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee.”
My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,
When Thou comest and callest for me.
© Wednesday’s Word December 27, 2023
“The Best Non-Christmas Carol Written” (adapted)
Paul Tripp Ministries, Inc. 21 N Main Street, Suite 8 Coopersburg, PA 18036
PRAYER: Jesus, there was no room for you. Not in a choice place to stay in Bethlehem. Not in the priorities of people then and even today. Not in the church doctrines of your time. Not in the cultures and societies of this world. But I pray there is room in my heart for you, Lord. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
EVANGELISM: Select one verse of the hymn above and send it to a friend today.