Nativity scenes . . . we never decided one day to start purposefully building a collection of them . . . but, in fact, that’s kind of what’s happened . . . we’ve ended up becoming collectors of nativity scenes . . . we bought another one this year. Right now, I think there are seven nativity scenes set up downstairs. Some with large characters . . . some with small. Some of a more “classic” nature and some a bit more contemporary. Some with just 3 pieces, a Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus . . . and some with multiple pieces including animals, shepherds, magi, angels . . . the whole nine yards. Sometimes they’re barely noticed . . . but at other times . . . probably more in the morning than the evening . . . in quietness and with a cup of coffee they become a catalyst for thought and meditation. An “igniter” to once again consider the wonder of Immanuel . . . God with us. A visual reminder of promise fulfilled as “Unto us a Child is born . . . ” . . . that “in the city of David a Savior has been born” . . . that He who was born to be King should be worshiped with the best that wise men (and women) have to offer. And it’s that King aspect that’s come to mind this morning as I read in John.

“So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. Then they said, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ And they struck Him with their hands. . . . And [Pilate] said to the Jews, ‘Behold your King!’ But they cried out, ‘Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!’ Pilate said to them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar!’ Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified.” (John 19:1-3, 14b-16a)

I cringe every time I read this part of the Passion story . . . this and Matthew’s record that the crowd also cried out to Pilate, “His blood be on us and our children” (Matt. 27:25). Father forgive them . . . they don’t know what they’re doing . . . they don’t know what they’re saying. “We have no king but Caesar” . . . really?!? . . what a thing to say . . . not just a rejection of the Son . . . but of the Father, as well. What were they thinking? They weren’t . . . hard hearts . . . blinded eyes . . . deaf ears . . . the rejection of their King. How sad . . . and, except for the grace of God, that’s me.

How I prefer to picture the baby King surrounded by those who love Him and adore Him . . . encompassed by angels . . . marveled at by shepherds . . . worshiped by magi . . . offered gifts befitting a Royal. I prefer it over that of a Man freshly taken from a scourging post . . . barely able to stand because of the beating He has just received . . . wearing some tacky purple robe . . . blood flowing down His face from the crown of thorns that has been forced upon His brow. Identified as a king by a pagan governor who didn’t want to deal with the truth . . . mocked as king by pagan soldiers who “offered” Him the blows of their hands as their “gifts of worship” . . . rejected as king by those He came to save. But, this too is the Christmas story . . . isn’t it?

Yes, He is King.

Recognized as such at His birth, by some . . . rejected as such at His death, by others . . . one day to be revealed as King of Kings when He returns, by all.

Behold Your King! . . . the babe in the manger. Behold Your King! . . . the Lamb of God come to take away the sins of the world.

O come let us adore Him! . . . . amen?