Dear friends:
 
"For God to come among His own; and not be received by His own; for God to be homeless at home -­ that could only mean one thing to the worldly mind: the Babe could not be God at all.  And that is just why it missed Him.  Divinity is always where one least expects to find it.  The Son of God made man was invited to enter His own world through a back door…. Because He was born in cave, all who wish to see Him must stoop.  To stoop is the mark of humility.  The proud refuse to stoop and, therefore, they miss Divinity. Those, however, who bend their egos and enter, find that they are not in a cave at all, but in a new universe...." **

They find themselves in a totally new Kingdom, one in which they reside and, strangely, one which resides in them.  This new kingdom operates on totally different principles:

The old kingdom says, “Life is a cosmic accident.”
But the new kingdom says, “God created the heavens and the earth.”

The old kingdom says, “Life has no purpose.”
But the new kingdom says, “(God) hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.” 1 Thess 1:12.

The old kingdom says, "There is no absolute truth"
But the new kingdom says, "Thy word is truth."  John 17:17.

The old kingdom says, “Show me and I’ll believe you.”
But the new kingdom says, “Believe me and I’ll show you.”  Mark 11:24.
 
The old kingdom says, “Get.”
But the new kingdom says, “Give.”  Luke 6:38.
 
The old kingdom says, “Me first.
But the new kingdom says, “Others first.”  1 John 3:16.
 
The old kingdom says, “Get revenge.”
But the new kingdom says, “Forgive.”  Mark 11:25.
 
The old kingdom says, “Hate your enemies.”
But the new kingdom says, “Love you enemies.”  Matthew 5:44.
 
The old kingdom says, “I deserve what I get.”
But the new kingdom says, “My mercy does not give you what you really deserve.  Ephesians 2:8-9.
 
The old kingdom says, “Save your life and not lose it.
But the new kingdom says, “Lose your life to save it.” (Matthew 10:39.)

The old kingdom says, “You have an incurable disease.”
But the new kingdom says, “I am the Lord that healeth thee.”  Exodus 15:26.

The old kingdom says, “You'll always be poor and have nothing.”
But the new kingdom says, "God desires that you 'prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers' " (3 John 2).

The old kingdom says, “Be afraid.  Be very afraid.”
But the new kingdom says, “Fear not.”  Matthew 10:28.

The old kingdom says, “It’s all about me.”
But the new kingdom says, “It’s all about Me!”
 
This kingdom is not just in the future, but it exists in the here and now.  And Jesus exhorted us to seek this kingdom first above all things. 
 
Let us stoop, kneel before the King, and enjoy His Kingdom.
 
Jim

(**The first paragraph was taken from the late Bishop Fulton J. Sheen’s insightful description of the Savior’s birth, in his classic book, Life of Christ.)