Today’s devotional is by Becky Watson

"Only a short time ago, the world seemed to come to a sudden stop as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed from this life into eternity. This was followed by days of national mourning, many historical ceremonies and pronouncements, and a poignant state funeral.
 
In a few months’ time, the new King – King Charles III – will be crowned, and undoubtedly the pomp and pageantry will be a spectacle producing awe and celebration. For millennia, royalty and key political figures across the world have displayed their prominence, power and wealth, for better or worse, in the most extravagant of ways – expensive vehicles, the finest clothes and uniforms, the biggest buildings and major public events.
Number 5 in our Christmas Carol Countdown, ‘See Amid the Winter’s Snow’, has a beautifully written melody, interestingly called ‘Humility’, echoing the message of the lyrics perfectly. A song written about the King of Kings, the Lord of Heaven and Earth, the All-Powerful Creator, and yet the score is called ‘Humility’ - what a contrast!
 
The lyrics beautifully balance the imagery of Christ as the ‘Lion and the Lamb’, a strong defender and ruler yet full of humility and gentleness. Where one verse says:
 
“Teach, O teach us, holy Child,
By thy face so meek and mild,
Teach us to resemble thee
In thy sweet humility.”
 
Another reads:
 
“Lo, within a manger lies
He who built the starry skies;
He who, throned in height sublime,
Sits amid the cherubim.”
 
The celebration of Christmas reminds us of the fact that God, who we may sometimes struggle to relate to, came to earth as a baby - innocent, vulnerable and poor. Jesus took on human form, and with it, the struggles, trials and temptations common to us all.
 
Perhaps you feel like the gap between you and God is bigger than ever today? He may feel miles away. Quite often, our personal circumstances can make us feel isolated, as though no one can understand. And yet, God came to earth and spent His first night in a feeding trough for the animals of an inn keeper. Remember that Jesus, the tender Lamb, knows the very place you are in. In fact, the Bible tells us that he knows the number of hairs on your head (Luke 12:7)!
 
How wonderful it is to know that the Lamb - who knows us, loves us and understands the difficulties we face - is “throned in height sublime”, in control of all things."