By Sis. Tanya Bico
Reading of the Day: Luke 1:30-38
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King” a popular Christmas carol and hymn, celebrates the events of that fateful holy night. It speaks of angels rejoicing and singing to proclaim the birth and arrival of a King.
The coming of a King was prophesied many times across the Old Testament, but still the news prompted different responses.
There was Mary receiving the most unexpected news. She would give birth to a child despite her circumstances. And he would be no ordinary child.
“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:32-33
I could only imagine the plethora of emotions she must have felt. And yet, she yielded to God’s will and surrendered to the arrival of a new King.
A King who would rule over a nation, but also over you and me.
A King meant not only to reign over a people but also over the hearts of humanity.
Then there was Herod. To the coming of a new King, the bible says Herod was “disturbed” (Matthew 2:3). It was clear that he rejected the possibility of someone else ruling over him, reigning over what he believed was his.
Sometimes we are like Herod when we refuse to let Christ rule over us, over our families, our careers and very lives. We fail to give up control to the one who is meant to reign and truly be in control.
You see, there was a time when I refused to let God rule over my life.
At the age of 15, I first felt God’s calling in my life to enter the ministry. The idea of entering the bible school seemed like the right choice, but the self-doubt and fear was crippling. And so I rejected what was God’s plan for me, seemingly taking control over my life and choosing my own will.
But the reality is we can never be truly satisfied when we choose to take our own way. Unless we surrender to God and His rule, we will never know what He has in store for us. By God’s grace, I entered the full-time ministry two years later.
Unless we surrender to God and His rule, we will never know what He has in store for us.
There is no greater satisfaction than knowing that although things may not always go the way that we want it, we do not worry because God is in control. When you let Christ rule over your life and let Him reign in your heart.
Christmas is our reminder that although our circumstances may feel uncertain, we ought to submit to God’s sovereign plan for us.
Christmas is our reminder that although our circumstances may feel uncertain, we ought to submit to God’s sovereign plan for us.
We need to submit like Mary who had to give up her youth and honor in order for God’s plan of salvation to be fulfilled.
Just like our late Apostle Arsenio T. Ferriol, the Goodman of the House, who gave up everything and surrendered his life to the call of God and built the church.
And like our Apostle Jonathan S. Ferriol who, in the face of grief, submitted to God’s new appointment in his life, continuing his father’s apostolic legacy.
Although none of it was easy, they embraced God’s sovereign will in their lives. And when God reigns over your life, you have nothing to fear.
How much are we willing to surrender to God’s will and rule over us?
Whether you are a member who is challenged to elevate in your service or a youth who is being called to the full-time ministry, or maybe you are simply contemplating if you should show up to tonight’s caroling. In this season, may we submit to God’s sovereign plan and let Christ rule as King over us.
Reflection: How is Christ ruling over you and your service lately? Is there a part of your life that is harder for you to let God take over?
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