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Program Transcript
GCI President Update | December 2025
Jesus the King
Throughout 2025, we have visited and revisited the theme of Kingdom Culture. We are now entering the Advent season, where we prepare our hearts and minds to receive the king.
Let’s center our hearts and minds around the Advent story.
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
LUKE 2:1-20 NIV
Let’s recount some of that speak to the kingship of baby Jesus.
Jesus is a descendant of David. Jesus’ royal lineage traces back to King David through his earthly father, Joseph. This is documented in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The Old Testament promise was that the Messiah would come from the “house of David” to establish a lasting kingdom. The earthly appearance and ministry of the Messiah was realized in Jesus, along with the announcement of the eternal kingdom.
The star of Bethlehem was a celestial sign that guided the magi. As described in the Gospel of Matthew, “wise men from the East” saw this new star. They were skilled in astronomy and stargazing, so they followed this sign to Jerusalem and then to Bethlehem, where they found the infant Jesus. Whether this was a planetary alignment, a comet, a supernova, or a literal new star, we know that it was a miraculous sign that supernaturally guided the Magi.
The wise men brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts had symbolic royal significance. Gold represented Jesus’ kingship, while frankincense pointed to his divinity (100% man and 100% God), and myrrh (used as a burial ointment) symbolized his willing sacrificial death.
Angelic proclamations to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds announced the birth from on high. There are other details and signs that direct us to the humility of our great God. The promised Messiah, the Savior of the world, in an animal feeding trough is a sign of his humble beginnings and ultimate purpose. Jesus was not born in a palace, or even an inn for weary travelers, but a stable for cattle and sheep.
Then the first to witness and worship the entry of Emmanuel, God with us, are the lowly shepherds, who are suspicious characters in their society.
In many ways, Jesus is an upside-down King. But doesn’t this reflect the mysterious, humble nature of our God?
Wishing you and yours a joyous Christmas season as we once again turn our attention to Jesus, the King of Glory.
Program Transcript
GCI President Update | December 2025
Jesus the King
Throughout 2025, we have visited and revisited the theme of Kingdom Culture. We are now entering the Advent season, where we prepare our hearts and minds to receive the king.
Let’s center our hearts and minds around the Advent story.
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
LUKE 2:1-20 NIV
Let’s recount some of that speak to the kingship of baby Jesus.
Jesus is a descendant of David. Jesus’ royal lineage traces back to King David through his earthly father, Joseph. This is documented in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The Old Testament promise was that the Messiah would come from the “house of David” to establish a lasting kingdom. The earthly appearance and ministry of the Messiah was realized in Jesus, along with the announcement of the eternal kingdom.
The star of Bethlehem was a celestial sign that guided the magi. As described in the Gospel of Matthew, “wise men from the East” saw this new star. They were skilled in astronomy and stargazing, so they followed this sign to Jerusalem and then to Bethlehem, where they found the infant Jesus. Whether this was a planetary alignment, a comet, a supernova, or a literal new star, we know that it was a miraculous sign that supernaturally guided the Magi.
The wise men brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts had symbolic royal significance. Gold represented Jesus’ kingship, while frankincense pointed to his divinity (100% man and 100% God), and myrrh (used as a burial ointment) symbolized his willing sacrificial death.
Angelic proclamations to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds announced the birth from on high. There are other details and signs that direct us to the humility of our great God. The promised Messiah, the Savior of the world, in an animal feeding trough is a sign of his humble beginnings and ultimate purpose. Jesus was not born in a palace, or even an inn for weary travelers, but a stable for cattle and sheep.
Then the first to witness and worship the entry of Emmanuel, God with us, are the lowly shepherds, who are suspicious characters in their society.
In many ways, Jesus is an upside-down King. But doesn’t this reflect the mysterious, humble nature of our God?
Wishing you and yours a joyous Christmas season as we once again turn our attention to Jesus, the King of Glory.
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