BIRTHDAY OF THE KING

Every family celebrates birthdays differently. Some throw big parties and give big gifts. They make a special fuss about "special" birthdays - like numbers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70. For others, like us, they are just another day and celebrated without parties or presents. They are just part of the normal aging process. However, our one exception is for our seven grandchildren. We do have a special meal for them. They can choose the menu - anything from salmon and ham to pizza and subs. We also make a special cake for them until they reach thirteen when they get a heart shaped cake. I guess the same difference in approaches to a birthday comes at Christmas. Some get so involved with travel, presents, decorations, parties, and meals that the guest of honor - Jesus - is often forgotten. This can happen even to the most dedicated of believers. The day can be filled with stress rather than worship. What was your day like yesterday? One of my favorite Christmas carols reminds us that Christmas is really the birthday of the King. And those who came to proclaim His coming and those who went to see the baby in the manger probably celebrated it correctly. No stress, just joy and astonishment, and true worship. Well Christmas is now over. The presents are opened. The food is eaten. The families have departed. The decorations have begun to come down. But have you taken time to worship the King? The origins of this melodious hymn are not known, although it is said to have been written by a William H. Neidlinger in 1890. Spend time in worship today as you sing these words.

In the little village of Bethlehem,

There lay a Child one day;

And the sky was bright with a holy light

O'er the place where Jesus lay.

Alleluia! O how the angels sang.

Alleluia! How it rang!

And the sky was bright with a holy light

'Twas the birthday of a King.

'Twas a humble birthplace, but O how much

God gave to us that day,

From the manger bed what a path has led,

What a perfect, holy way.

Alleluia! O how the angels sang.

Alleluia! How it rang!

And the sky was bright with a holy light

'Twas the birthday of a King.

The first time I heard this hymn was in high school when our chorus sang it for Christmas. A close friend of mine had the solo part. He had an excellent tenor/baritone voice and sang it so beautifully. Since then my favorite renditions of this feature male soloists. Unfortunately for me, I was not able to find a suitable clip of it being sung by a male soloist. But you will still enjoy hearing it sung here. LISTEN.