Certainly, for us, our understanding of the Nativity should have a greater impact and be more understood because we have had two thousand years to ponder this glorious event. However, two millennia have also clouded our understanding of December 25. Today, unfortunately, this date has become an over-commercialized event centered around the procurement and distribution of gifts. Except for the fact that church services are offered and a pageant presented, we might not ever understand that Christmas is about the birth of our Savior.

I admit, I love the glitz of Christmas – the trees – the lights – the decorations – the carols. I also, conversely, despise the merchandising – the shopping – the incessant search for the last parking space in an overcrowded shopping mall – the quest for the last over-hyped gift which has disappeared almost magically from every store in town – the overspending.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King… The words have so much meaning. Curiously, this time of the year seems to bring about a change in attitude. Even though we all seem to operate at a frenetic pace, smiles seem to be more forthcoming. Kindness , which is usually a reward for some precious deed or act is shared unsolicited even from total strangers. Family ties also seem to come alive and become more binding. Friendships, placed on some almost out-of-reach shelf, suddenly find their way back into our circle, are dusted off, and renewed. The time of Christmas is a wonderful event. I do not believe I personally have any fonder memories of family, friends, and activities. Mirth, merriment, and joy, just like the carol, come to mind nostalgically. But, our world is not about nostalgia. It is about today and now. It is about the present, and though our memories may be heartwarming, our present mind set is all too often focused on a most unimpressive quest to purchase the right gift for a loved one. And what of the King?

In order to answer this question, we must first acknowledge Who the King is. Jackie Gleason in his comical portrayal of Ralf Kramden proclaimed himself king many times to his wife Alice. Maybe this is the king we are talking about. Could this king possibly be Herod the Great, called Great, because he was a master builder and dynamic architect? Maybe he is Henry the VIII, king of England, warrior, and grandest of all divorcees? Unfortunately, none of the above apply.

Our King is from a different realm. His Kingdom is not of this world. He is neither from an influential, rich, or politically correct family. His birth is the culmination of a miracle and unswerving religious belief. He is Jesus Christ, Son of God, born of a virgin named Mary. He comes to us not dressed in the fine, purple raiment of a king, but humbly, dressed in swaddling cloths; strips of cloth intertwined. He is not born in the finest hospital or laid to rest in the comfort of a feather bed, but born in a stable and laid in a watering trough. There is no great fanfare. There are no trumpets to sound his arrival. The people have not crowed the square to await the announcement of His birth. There is no scarlet pimpernel. He is born not to rich merchants, or politically correct parents. His birth is one of humility.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King… He will be announced by a cosmic event. A star will blaze in the sky to make His arrival known. And, kings will come, but they will not be from His land. Shepherds will be in attendance notified by angelic proclamation, and the heavenly host will form a choir and sing His praise, but only a handful will really understand. He shall enter the world not to overtake the Jewish State, nor to expel the Roman legion. He will come to wholly restore mankind, and save us from perdition. Today, we know this. And yet…We will still give prominence not to our King, but to the creation of the famous 19^th century cartoonist Thomas Nast.

Santa Claus does fill a wonderful and fantastic void for all of us, and has created a popular culture. He is based upon the historical Nicholas, bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, himself a follower of the King, and allows us a merriment, a smile, a fantasy. He creates within us a philanthropic joy of gift giving. In fact, his character creates in all of us, no matter what our age, a sense of wonder, but the real King of Christmas is not Santa Claus. It is Jesus Christ. He comes to us not to receive a gift, but to bestow a gift. His present is a true and most memorable gift, one which is incomparable to the most popular, most sophisticated toy. He comes with the promise of eternal life. This Christmas celebrate and let the world know, Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King.