Suppose God had made the announcement that He would visit the earth, and suppose men had been put in charge of this dramatic event. How differently things would have unfolded! If the planning of this event were put in our hands....
1) We would want Him to come to one of the world’s greatest cities (New York, Beijing, Paris, London). Christ came to Bethlehem, a small village sparsely populated.
2) We would want Him to come to some world famous edifice or some amazing palace. We would want Him to have the nicest accommodations. Christ was born in a stable and laid in an animal feeding trough.
3) We would want the world’s most important people to be present when He comes to earth (all the heads of state, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Kings). Christ was welcomed by common folk, humble shepherds.
4) We would want the whole world to know about it. We would want the event to be covered by all the major media outlets (CNN, Fox News, all the major networks). Christ’s coming was unnoticed by the vast majority of people.
5) We would want to see God in all His power and glory, to see what He could do and how great He is. Christ entered the world as a dependent Babe, not putting His power and glory on display outwardly.
Yes, God’s marvelous plan for His Son’s entrance into the world came about, not by the cunning schemes of man, but by the infinite wisdom of the God who knows exactly what this world needs. "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich" (2 Cor. 8:9). So also Christ’s great unveiling at His second coming will unfold, not as men would want it, but in accord with the Father’s perfect plan.
Even a child knows the answer of course,
In a coach of gold with a pure white horse.
In the beautiful city in the prime of the day,
And the trumpets should cry and the crowds make way.
And the flags fly high in the morning sun,
And the people all cheer for the sovereign one.
And everyone knows that's the way that it's done.
That's the way that a King should come.
How should a King come?
Even a commoner understands,
He should come for His treasures,
And His houses and lands.
He should dine upon summer strawberries and milk,
And sleep upon bedclothes of satin and silk.
And high on a hill His castle should glow,
With the lights of the city like jewels below.
And everyone knows that's the way that it's done,
That's the way that a King should come.
How should a King come?
On a star filled night into Bethlehem,
Rode a weary woman and a worried man.
And the only sound in the cobblestone street,
Was the shuffle and the ring of their donkey's feet.
And a King lay hid in a virgin's womb,
And there were no crowds to see Him come.
At last in a barn in a manger of hay,
He came and God incarnate lay.
And the angels cried "glory glory to God".
Earth was silent so heaven rang!
"Glory glory to God."
Men were dumb so the angels sang,
"Glory glory to God,
Peace on earth good will to men,
Glory glory to God".
(Carol and Jimmy Owens)