January 25

Strange Insignia

And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. — Luke 2:12 BSB

What a strange sign by which to recognize the King of Glory! The shepherds were not told they would find Him in purple garments like a prince’s child, but wrapped in swaddling clothes. They wouldn’t find Him in a palace but in a stable, with a manger as His bed. Isn’t it remarkable that the signs by which the shepherds were to identify the Messiah were symbols of poverty and humility? This shows us how empty the world’s symbols of greatness really are. No one would expect to recognize earthly royalty by such humble insignia. When Christ came, He rejected the usual marks of rank and chose the symbols of poverty. Yet, was He any less great because He did not display the world’s stamp of honor?

True greatness lies in character, not in circumstances. It’s not important to wear a crown—what matters is having a head worthy of wearing one. It’s not about wearing royal robes—what’s crucial is having a heart worthy of royalty. It’s not about sitting on a throne—what’s essential is living a life so noble that others will recognize the kingly qualities in you, even if you work in the fields or mines or serve in the humblest place.

These unusual signs also speak of Christ’s sympathy with the lowliest people. No one can say that Christ didn’t come for them. If He had been born in a palace amid splendor, common people might never have felt that He was their Savior. But Christ came down to the lowest point in life so that no one would be beyond the reach of His love and grace.