As a dark cloud seemingly descends on our country and world during these past two years, it’s good to remember that it was that way when the King came the first time, to humble parents and humble people, in a place we know as Bethlehem Judea, within tiny Israel.

Here’s a blurb about it recorded in my newest book Puzzling 2020, which will be out any day now:

“It’s encouraging to remember something the Scriptures say: ‘But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord’ (Romans 5:20-21 NLT).

“Recently in conversation, a quote about Christmas came up, ‘Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas’ (Calvin Coolidge). Indeed, everyone should cherish peace and goodwill. Certainly, everyone should be plenteous in mercy. And those things are rightly celebrated at Christmas. However, Christmas is a time and a season, and perhaps a state of mind, to focus on the King whose advent makes these things possible on a wide scale in a dark world at spiritual war.

“Christmas is about Christ more than about his rule and reign, his attributes, or even His kingdom. It’s about the gem of creation — God becomes a man. A Son of Man to tell us about God, His kingdom, His rule, His purpose, His Person, and then to send us His power in the form of His Spirit to live this life and make peace, goodwill, and mercy possible on the earth and in our realm of family and friends. He came to dwell with us.

“Some might ask, ‘Isn’t the point of Christmas love, peace, mercy, truth, goodness?’ I’d say yes, of course, these are the things we celebrate which are made possible by the King and are descriptive of the King. But I would add that many people think and act as if they can bring these qualities to bear on the earth on their own. History would demonstrate that we can’t in any widespread measure or lasting degree. We need a righteous, kind, powerful king to effect what we celebrate at Christmas and desire year-round and lifelong.

“Christmas is a time and a season to be still, to be quiet, and focus
on this gift from above — a baby, a gift of power and love. A king
is born — beautiful, personal, good, enabling. He is mighty to reign
and enforces justice in the middle of His enemies all around. His rule
ensures ‘the wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth and
goodwill to men’ (Longfellow).

“Worship and give thanks — honor and celebrate Jesus the King.”

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“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (I Timothy 1:17 NASB).

“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.
His goings forth are from long ago,
From the days of eternity.
Therefore He will give them up until the time
When she who is in labor has borne a child.
Then the remainder of His brethren
Will return to the sons of Israel.
And He will arise and shepherd His flock
In the strength of the Lord,
In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God.
And they will remain,
Because at that time He will be great
To the ends of the earth.
This One will be our peace”
(Micah 5:2-5a).