4 Ways to Unveil the King of Glory for Christmas
Who is this King of glory?
Christmas is less than two weeks away. While I find it unbelievable, more troubling is the unbelief I see behind the holiday—Holy-day.
But, the birth of Jesus unveiled the Savior to the world. The One promised to rescue us from sin, other gods, the enemy, and even ourselves.
And as always, the heavenly Father kept His promise.
God’s Son came to bring the light of heaven to earth. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, was born to die.
Denied earthly glory and fame, Jesus bears a name above every name. He is the King of glory.
Yet the phrase, “The King of glory” is only found once in the Bible, in Psalm 24. It’s one of my favorite passages. So, let’s look at the 10 verses of the Psalm for our list of 4 ways to unveil Jesus this Christmas.
And not only unveil Him in a more meaningful way in our own heart, but also to present Jesus more fully to those around us and to the world.
Denied earthly glory and fame, Jesus bears a name above every name. He is the King of glory. Click To Tweet1.) Creation unveils the King of glory.
The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.
(Verses 1-2)
Scripture reveals how Jesus, part of the triune God, participated in creation. John 1:3 says all things came into being through Him. Also, Colossians 1:16 confirms, “For by Him all things were created….”
Even the star announcing the arrival of the Christ-child, was created by Him.
Every time we gaze at a sunset, see a glimmer of light shinning through the window, stand in awe at the twinkling of stars or the ebb and flow of the ocean. Let it remind us, all of creation unveils the King of Glory. Click To Tweet2.) Holiness unveils the King of glory.
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.
(Verses 3-4)
The imagery here makes my soul leap and causes me to pause. David knew what it meant to stand in God’s presence. And he knew how sin separated him from God.
The Lord created our souls to desire the ascent up His hill and to stand in His holy place. But it requires we submit to the Lord’s holiness in our lives and allow Him to cleanse us from sin.
“If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” 1 John 1:7.
3.) Seeking God unveils the King of glory.
He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
(Verses 5-6)
The Bible encourages us to seek the Lord’s kingdom and righteousness in Matthew 6:33. To pray, seek God’s face, and turn from wicked ways for forgiveness of sin and healing of our land here on earth in 2 Chronicles 7:14.
And Hebrews 11:6 tells us God rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
4.) Salvation unveils the King of glory.
Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory?The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!
Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory?The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah
(Verses 7-10)
Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Psalm 24:10 Click To TweetMatthew Henry’s Commentary
notes the repetitions of phrases in these verses like those in a song.
“The doors and gates are to be thrown open, thrown wide open, to give him admission, for behold he stands at the door and knocks, ready to come in.”
Henry further notes the Lord desires to be “welcomed by us.”
The King of glory knocks at the door of our hearts. If we open the door, He comes in (Revelation 3:20).
The Lord of hosts came that first Christmas night in Bethlehem for all who are willing to welcome His glory into their hearts and lives.
Which of the 4 ways of unveiling Jesus speaks the most to you?
Tell us in the comments.
*Scripture ESV.
Top photo by Brigitte Tohm on Unsplash.
Middle photo by Sweta Meininger on Unsplash.
Last photo by Josh Boot on Unsplash.
Sometimes I participate in these link-ups:
Debbie Kitterman/#Dare2Hear, Lori Schumaker/#momentsofhope, Jaime Wiebel/#SittingAmongFriends, Crystal Twadell/Fresh Market Friday, Kelly Balarie/Purposeful Faith, Patricia Holbrook/Soaring With Him, Meghan Weyerbacher/TeaandtheWord, Lyli Dunbar/#FaithOnFire & Crystal Storms/Heart Encouragement.
© 2018 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved
Good morning, Karen, I love your heart for Jesus. I feel a kinship with you around that. Thank you for showing me that one verse which names Jesus the King of Glory. For only He is worthy. Have a blessed day, Karen. In Christ, Julie
Yes, Julie. We are Jesus girls through and through. And He is worthy of all the glory. Let’s help unveil the King of glory! Merry Christmas!
Karen, love this! Reading this was like a moment of pure worship to me, lifting up the name of Jesus, our King of glory! I have always found Psalm 24 so powerful. I appreciated how you peeled back all the layers of the richness of this passage, which really sets us up for opening wide the gates of our heart for this King to come in! God bless you and Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Melissa. Psalm 24 is powerful and one of my favorites. Years ago, I included the last few verses in a Mary monologue I wrote to share and “perform” at Christmastime for church and events. Because it is such a beautiful picture of doors and gates opening and being lifted up to allow our King of glory to enter into our lives and hearts!
“Lord Jesus, we swing wide open the gates of our lives and the doors of our heart for your grand entrance!”
Great post, Karen. I love this point you make here: “The Lord created our souls to desire the ascent up His hill and to stand in His holy place. But it requires we submit to the Lord’s holiness in our lives and allow Him to cleanse us from sin.” From what I have seen in my encounters with non-believers is just that—they do not submit nor do they even want to. It reminds me of the first sin, that rebelliousness that started the problem of sin in the first place. People want to “be their own god,” and thus, they miss out on seeing the Holiness of God. That breaks my heart, as I am sure it breaks God’s heart, too. For we were made to love Him and when we don’t, we will never be satisfied. We will never see His glory, His holiness, and experience the deep soul-satisfaction of knowing there is a purpose to this holy Christmas season. Be blessed!
Isn’t it sad, Lisa? When non-believers and even we Christians fail to allow the Lord to cleanse us from sin so we are able to stand in His holy place. And you are so right, if we don’t submit to that cleansing, we never see the Lord’s glory or holiness meant for us all along…since the beginning of time. Lord, reveal Your glory to us this Christmas season and every season.
I love this part: “The Lord of hosts came that first Christmas night in Bethlehem for all who are willing to welcome His glory into their hearts and lives.”
It’s making room in the inn of our hearts. God bless!
“Making room in the inn of our hearts.” I like that, Nancy.
Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah Psalm 24:10.
Dear Karen,
You are such a FANTASTIC writer and I absolutely love your heart for Jesus, knowing Scripture, and presenting us with His word!!!
I appreciated #2 ~ unveiling through ascending through His Holiness… I love the fact that He has made “The Way” for all of us and that no matter what He loves us so dearly!!!
Keep up the Great work!!! Our Savior is certainly saying, ” Well done good and faithful servant!!!!”😊👍
☝️☝️☝️🙏\o/🙏☝️☝️☝️
❤
All about Him!!!
Praise Jesus
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, Mike. I’m so grateful. And loving my heart for Jesus is the absolute best compliment anyone can receive. I appreciate your walk with the Lord and your heart for Jesus, too.
And I love unveiling Jesus through holiness.”The Lord created our souls to desire the ascent up His hill and to stand in His holy place. But it requires we submit to the Lord’s holiness in our lives and allow Him to cleanse us from sin.”
Blessings and Merry Christmas!
Amen. While reading your message, I began singing “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God”. 🙂 I love how God sends us messages at just the right time.
He does send us the right message in His perfect timing, Melissa. May we seek His face always and His kingdom and righteousness to unveil the King of glory to a lost world!
I love all the examples of things that unveil the King of Glory. I want my Christmas and my every day to also unveil the King of Glory to the people I meet each day. Thanks for your inspiration
Me too, Yvonne. “And not only unveil Him in a more meaningful way in our own heart, but also to present Jesus more fully to those around us and to the world.” Merry Christmas!
I think your point about Creation unveiling the King of Glory is excellent. It’s amazing how often Scripture refers back to Creation. Rocks crying out, wind and waves obeying. It’s amazing the power he commands over nature.
I love the imagery of your 4th point too. There are a couple of places in the psalms where the doors are blown open and God comes in. It’s really beautiful and awe-inspiring.
Chip,
I concur in how much creation points directly to the Creator and His glory. And the King’s glory revealed in salvation. But while I may have already opened the door of my heart to the King’s knocking for eternal life, it doesn’t stop there. There isn’t a period. I want my heart to desire to welcome Him in over and over and over again…to live and reign in my life. That’s a sure way to reveal and unveil His glory in me!
I love all of these verses, but feel most connected to #4. It reminds me to open my heart wide and welcoming to Jesus, the Savior, coming into the world, and glorifying the Father.
Wonderful post, as always, Karen!
I love the connection with that one too, Martha. The fact of welcoming the King of glory into our hearts should be for salvation, yes, but then opening our intimate affections to Jesus more and more and more. The Lord of hosts came that first Christmas night in Bethlehem for all who are willing to welcome His glory into their hearts and lives.
I have been in awe of God’s holiness the past few days. Which is sad to say because I’m not saying I am always in awe of God’s holiness. I’ve been listening to a Francis Chan podcast where he’s been talking about God’s holiness as seen through the beginning of the Old Testament. It has truly re-ignited my fire of worshiping God for who He is – holy and sacred!
Wonderful, Emily. We all need that reigniting of awe and splendor and holiness and God’s majesty at times. Oh, how I want to stand in awe of Jesus and in His holy place. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Hi Karen. This post rings tribute and awe toward the King of Glory throughout. What a special Savior we proclaim. For me, I think I am drawn most to the section about seeking Him. In seeking Him (reading His Word with an open, prayerful heart), I have discovered so much amazing truth, and quite often it was what I needed in the moment. The King of Glory steps forward to reveal Himself while we read. He IS the Word, after all. Thank you for another great post.
Stephen, that’s good. I like the thought of Jesus stepping forward to reveal Himself as the King of glory while we read His word. Amen!
“Lord, help us seek Your face and seek to know You more through the Word, reveal yourself to us as the King of glory! Amen.”
Karen, I love how you unpacked this Psalm. This is absolutely beautiful!
Thanks, Marcie. It is such a powerful and beautiful Psalm of David.
The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Psalm 24:1-2
Merry Christmas!
Like you, the imagery makes my soul leap and causes me a moment or more of introspection. Thank you for paralleling these ideas and giving me a moment to pause and ponder what it means for the King of Glory to come in.
🙂 Thank you, Stephanie. May we pause to reflect often if the gates and doors in our lives are swung wide open for His entrance. Merry Christmas.
The holiness of God is amazing to me. There is no comparison and because all people we know cannot measure up to holiness, it’s truly unfathomable. I’ve been studying David and I appreciate how this Psalm shows his heart seeks God and desires God’s glory, not his own. “David knew what it meant to stand in God’s presence. And he knew how sin separated him from God.” I’m so thankful God have us David’s insights and view of God!
I’m in awe of God’s holiness as well, Elaine. I pray we always have that sense of wonder in light of His holiness and majesty and splendor. In awe of Jesus and awestruck by His glory.
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