What do Charlemagne and William the Conqueror have in common?
Both well-known rulers were crowned on Christmas Day.
In 800 AD, the Frankish king Charlemagne was crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Though he only reigned as emperor for 13 years, during that time he managed to unite most of Western Europe under his rule and instituted legal and educational reforms that ushered in a period of cultural and Christian revival across Europe.
In 1066 AD, William, Duke of Normandy (better known as William the Conqueror), was crowned King of England after his victory at the Battle of Hastings. He ruled for 21 years introducing massive cultural, administrative, linguistics and other changes that have impacted England (and by extension the USA) ever since. The Tower of London and the original Windsor Castle, two well-known landmarks built by William, can still be visited today.
These two famous kings were both crowned on Christmas Day. The reforms they each made had significant impacts in their own times, some of which have continued across the centuries to today.
Yet, as famous as these men were, and as impactful as their rules may have been, they are nothing compared to the King whose birth we celebrate every year on Christmas Day.
Jesus.
Unlike Charlemagne and William the Conqueror, Jesus arrival wasn’t accompanied by vast pomp and circumstance. In fact, not many people even remarked on it.
Born in humble circumstances, wrapped and laid in a manger, only His parents, maybe some other family members like Elizabeth and Zechariah and some shepherds knew that His arrival would change everything.
On that Christmas Day, God came down to do what we cannot do for ourselves.
John 3:16-17 says,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
The Bible is clear that we have all sinned (Romans 3:23) and that the consequences of this sin is death (Romans 6:23). This is terrible news since there is no one who is holy or perfect, we all stand condemned.
But the GOOD NEWS, is that we are offered forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus and His death for us (Romans 6:23, 5:8)
Now, everyone who calls on the name of Jesus will be saved! Paul says in Romans 10:9, “if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Jesus paid the penalty of sin for those who trust in Him. This payment is final! Once you are saved, your eternal destiny is secure, nothing can separate you from the love of God!
Once you place your trust in Christ, you present and future is completely changed. Beyond what any earthly king can do. And one day, everyone will acknowledge Jesus as Lord.
Jesus came quietly at His birth, but there will be no mistaking His return. Unlike Charlemagne and William the Conqueror who reigned for only a few decades, Jesus reigns forever.
Jesus said in Matthew 24:30–31,
“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.”
On that day we will face judgement and either a wonderful eternity with Christ in a New Heavens and Earth or eternal punishment, the consequence of our refusal to accept the free gift of salvation.
This Christmas, if you are a follower of Jesus, rejoice in your salvation and the hope of your eternal reward. Rejoice because your King is coming again!
If you haven’t yet decided to place your hope and faith in Jesus, why not? What is holding you back?
If you’re reading this and want to know more about becoming a follower of Jesus, talk to anyone at Beacon Wealth, we will be glad to share the full story of this Good News with you. Jesus is offering you a gift this Christmas, one He’s already paid for in full: forgiveness and a wonderful future with Him.