A gift most lavish

Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. — 2 Corinthians 8:9

I have a piece of old plaster on my desk that comes from the ancient site of the Herodium in the land of Israel. It reminds me of the humility of our Lord Jesus.

Herodium was a lavish residence that served as King Herod’s summer palace, a sumptuous villa with opulent apartments furnished for the royal family and their guests. It boasted a Roman bath with hot and cold pools, surrounded by colonnaded gardens.

It’s said that Herod built his palace to commemorate a victory in battle, but knowing Herod’s selfish ambition it’s possible he had another purpose in mind. Some have conjectured that, despite inquiring of the scribes (Matt. 2:4-6), Herod knew about Micah’s prediction that Israel’s Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. He may have wanted Israel’s King to be born in his palace.

The Father’s plan, however, was for our Lord to be born not in a castle but in a cave. It was in a lowly manger that the little Lord Jesus was born.

This is the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, “Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9). This is the gift of lavish salvation — of all gifts, the greatest gift that you and I will ever receive.      — David Roper

He did not use a silvery box

Or paper green and red;

God laid His Christmas gift to me

Within a manger bed. — Prentice

READ: Micah 5:2-6

The goodness and love of God became incarnate at Bethlehem.

The Bible in one year:

• Luke 2