​​At a time where countless numbers of people celebrate Christmas, it is placed upon us the responsibility to preach in and out of season the purpose and intent of the miraculous birth of the Son of God.

​Within fellowships, communities and churches the proclamation of the prophet Isaiah will be read in the hearing of many. During this reading many minds will visit the scene of the nativity to reflect upon the baby born in the manger, the appearing of the heavenly host, the visits of the shepherds, the star at night and the wise men from the east.

​For some enshrined before them will be the statues of the nativity, whilst for others a theatrical piece played out by ardent followers. This will be followed by music, dancing and merrymaking.

​The word nativity means “the event of being born” or the circumstances in which a child is born. Hence the word requires us to consider all the events during the birth of a child.

​The reading of Isaiah 9:6 and the record of the nativity found in the gospels of Matthew and Luke provides us a revelation of the events taking place. These events together collectively describe a child being born and a son being given.

​Many moons ago whilst reading this text I came upon the revelation which is so clearly distinguished by the prophet Isaiah. This began a journey from the child of the nativity to the son of the nativity. From a childrens story to history.

​This meant that the typical characters and props associated with the meaning of the nativity changed from being just the foreground of religious christmas traditions into a sharper picture disclosing the richer understanding of God’s kingdom.

​Why would the prophet make two statements about this monumental event? Why in one breath state a child is born and in another a son is given?

​The Old testament prophecies provide supporting evidence for these distinctions.
Numbers 24:17 states "I see him, but not now: I behold him, but not near; a Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel"

​Two sight’s are mentioned, I see him! The first natural and relating to the child's legitimate inheritance within the economy of Israel. I behold him! The second spiritual the revelation of who this child is as the Son of God and chosen King.

​The writer goes on to state that what he saw was prophetic, what he wrote was a foretelling of future events. Hence this text would have been part of the inspiration of Isaiah's words.

​To begin with we must come to appreciate the words used to introduce the distinctions. “Unto us” forcefully impress the relevancy and impact of the event on we who are in this world.

​For whether the child is born or the son is given, both are unto us and drive home our responsibility to respond accurately. No one born from the line of Adam can disassociate themselves from the impact of the fulfillment of prophecy.

​In addition the events recorded within the gospels pertaining to the prophecy provide ample guidance and teaching on how to approach the child, the son.

​The significance of the nativity relates to appreciating all of the events which took place without reducing the narrative to a cliche of theatrical pieces. One thing I have learned is that history does not narrate well and there is a mastery involved in relaying history accurately from one generation to the next.

​For many of us we have grown up with the nativity which focuses on the “birth of the child”. This majors on: baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, manger, angels, shepherds, star, wise men and gifts.

​This nativity guided by the limitations of tradition creates an immature view which we haven’t as yet altogether grown up from.

​The nativity that reflects the son has an altogether different approach and parallels the exodus and nativity of Moses. This majors upon:

​​These events tend to stand in the background of the first nativity and hence as a result reduce the importance and significance of the son being given.

​When we step back to see the nativity in its entirety we cannot afford any longer to hold onto the immature romanticised perspectives of our traditions, but are forced to grapple with the gritty reality of faith by both “seeing” and “beholding”.
We are forced to come to terms with the fact that the christmas we know is not the christmas they experienced.

​Faith in keeping with the Kingdom provokes us to see things as they are, whilst beholding what will be: Read Isaiah 60:2: “See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but (behold) the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you”

​Here the prophet again provokes both the natural sight and the spiritual sight coming into harmony. We are not to ignore either, but rather ensure both are framed by the word of God. The shepherds and the wise men experienced what the prophet stated.

​The shepherds were commanded by the angels to seek for the sign. They subsequently sought for a baby in a manger. Once found they testified to all of the savior's birth.

​The wise men were commanded by prophecy to seek for a sign. They subsequently sought for the shining star which would lead them to the King in Bethlehem. Once found they gave gifts unto the King.

​Both the shepherds and the wise men encapsulate the rich experience of encountering the fullness of Isaiah 6:9 and serve as an example of how to respond.

​On the one hand the shepherds provoke us to testify of the savior's birth signifying the hope of waiting on the Lord for his promises. On the other hand the wise men provoke us to recognise the realization of the promise by practically honouring and serving the Lord with the fruit of our obedience and substance recognising his authority, divinity and sacrifice.

​Looking past our traditions with their set times, places and events and beholding the truth of the nativity I wonder what this would be like today? Could the riches of Christ’s commonwealth be so manifest that it makes redundant the need for a Christmas day?

The famous carol written by the English hymn writer Isaac Watts and based on Psalm 98 conveys within the first and second verse the spirit of our worship.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King;

​We serve a King who oversees an everlasting Kingdom. Within His Kingdom are key values that undergird everything that is done in it. Value systems permeate every facet of existence. There are cultural values, national values, family values, values within local assemblies, organizational values and of course personal values.

A friend of mine wrote a great book in 1993 entitles 'A Philosophy Of Ministry.'
In it he wrote, “Each of us thinks we are objective – but that is not the case. We see our service – or objects of that service not as it is – but as we are – or are conditioned to see it. Therefore, when other people disagree with us, we immediately think they are wrong.” He then asks the question – “How can we reconcile this apparent contradiction?”

I would suggest the answer lies in embracing a Kingdom worldview with values that flow from that realm. Values help us to understand each other and increase our ability to walk in unity. What may appear to be contradictory on the surface, can be understood in the values we collectively hold. As believers, our cultural – national – family – local assembly – organizational and personal values must be subject to the values of the Kingdom.

Values are generally things that 'go without being said’. Every act – action – decision and decree find some basis in a value held. The value does not necessarily have to be articulated – because they are generally understood by an indigenous group of people, whether native or organizational.

It is important for us to get a general understanding of the Word of God from the culture it was originally written. There were values that existed in the first century that are totally unknown to us today. As we learn them, we can begin to see the core Kingdom Values that were understood and embraced, and understand how they are applicable to us today.

Kingdom values are timeless – because they come from a realm that is eternal and not subject to time as we know it. All other values are shaped by time but I suggest we should look to see if  values are in line with the values of the Kingdom.

There are five basic values in the Kingdom of Heaven. They are:

1. The Lordship of Jesus Christ – you must walk in the revelation that Jesus is the Christ – Son of the Living God – if you miss this value – all others are unnecessary
2. The priesthood of all believers – From the beginning we were created to rule the earth as vice-regents of God. When you recognize that it was the Fathers intent to have a fully functioning priesthood comprised of blood washed believers – you will never be the same 
3. The full expression of the Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit is still at work in obedient men and women to fulfill the purposes of God in the earth. Everything He did in the first century – is available to us today.
4. Strong Covenant relationships that result in spiritual and numerical growth. Everything healthy grows. God’s design is that we connect with each other to edify, exhort and comfort one another. There are over 50 ‘one another’ passages of scripture in the New Testament, as we learn how work hard to work through our differences – the Body of Christ will become stronger and more vibrant in the earth
5. No one lacks among us – scripture reveals the heart of God’s people. They gave in such a way that for a time – every need was met among them. I believe that can exist today. Our heart should be to insure that every believer has everything they need to fulfill their calling, purpose and ministry work.

When we embrace these values – we will quickly develop a kingdom worldview.
The Ekklesia Center is committed to teaching these values and showing belivers how to walk in them daily. 

You can begin today by praying, "Lord give me a Kingdom Worldview. Let me see the world from the view of the Kingdom". As you begin to see things from a Kingdom perspective, you will see what is acceptable and what is out of alignment with heavens values. You will be more accurate in praying "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven". 

Commit to taking action. What you see out of alignment with kingdom values – remember you have been given the keys of the kingdom. Ask God what you need to do to bind or loose on earth the desire of heaven (Matthew 16:19).
 
Until next time – be blessed!