The Arrival of the King
Advent 2025 – Week Two Reflection - The incarnation of Christ is the beginning of His visible kingdom.
The birth of Christ is the invasion of a King.
He entered a world under occupation. The powers of the earth, the idols of men, and the spiritual rulers of darkness had claimed authority over nations and families for generations. Their claims were loud, but they were never ultimate. They were permitted for a time under the sovereign hand of God, and that time was drawing to a close.
When the Word became flesh, the throne of heaven drew near to the dust of the earth. The eternal Son did not come to test His chances. He came to lay open claim to what was already His by right as Creator and as the appointed heir of all things. In His birth, God kept His promise to David that one from his line would sit upon the throne forever. In Him, the first promise given after the fall moved toward its fulfillment. This is the Seed of the woman who would crush the serpent’s head. This is the true Light who shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overpower Him.
Mary carried in her womb the child who would unsettle kingdoms. Herod sensed enough truth to be afraid and chose rage instead of repentance. The chief priests and scribes could quote the prophecy that named Bethlehem, yet showed no desire to go and worship. The shepherds, called from their work in the fields, heard the heavenly host proclaim glory to God and peace on earth among those with whom He is pleased. That peace flows from victory. It is the fruit of a King who conquers sin, death, and the devil.
Every moment of Christ’s incarnation moved under the precise wisdom of God. The manger held the One who upholds all things by the word of His power. Nothing in His lowliness cancelled His majesty. Nothing in His humility weakened His authority. The Lord of glory chose to come in this way in order to redeem His people and begin, in visible form, the kingdom that will fill the earth.
In time He would grow, teach, and act with unquestioned authority. He would call sinners to repent and believe. He would forgive sins by His own word. He would cast out demons, heal the sick, calm the sea, and speak to the dead so that they rose at His command. The cross and the empty tomb would display the depth of His obedience and the greatness of His power. Yet all of this rests on the reality we remember in Advent: He came.
The church does not stand on the edge of the kingdom, wondering if it will ever arrive. We live within the days of its advance. The King has been born. He has accomplished redemption. He has been highly exalted. His reign is present. The increase of His government is sure. His enemies are being subdued. His name is being confessed in the nations.
“For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name.”
(Philippians 2:9, LSB)
Don’t miss the short, daily, text devotionals for advent! Receive the daily texts straight to your phone. There’s still a couple weeks left!
📲 Text advent to +1 (833) 240-9722 to join the 25-day devotional or scan the QR code with your smartphone and click send.
