Names of Jesus Christmas Devotion (Day 18) - King of Kings

"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered: "You are right in saying I am a King. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me." 
-- John 18:37

On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS.
-- Revelation 19:16

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!  Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!  See, your King comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
-- Zechariah 9:9

The world has never seen a king like Christ, a ruler mightier than any earthly sovereign and more powerful than the unseen powers of the universe. Though He entered the world humbly, as an infant born in Bethlehem, Magi from the East still recognized Him as the newborn king. Though His reign unfolds in hidden ways, He has promised to come again, at which time He will reveal Himself as "King of kings and Lord of lords." When you pray to Jesus, the King of kings, call to mind His mastery not only over human beings but over nature, disease, and death itself.

Throughout history nations have tried to control their population through punishment, lies, power, money and death. But God's kingdom, presided over by the most powerful ruler in the universe, operates on entirely different principles. Its integrity depends not on external force but on the internal, indestructible power of Christ's love. Our King begins by inviting, never forcing, us to join His kingdom. When we do, He begins to change us internally by the power of His Spirit. In this way, step by step, Jesus builds the only kingdom that will last - the only kind worth living in forever.

Thank God today for the greatest of all invitations - to entrust your life to King Jesus, who calls you to live and reign with Him forever. And while you are thanking Him, remember that we cannot force or pressure others into the kingdom. Only God's Spirit can enable a man or woman to be born again into God's kingdom. Each of us is called not to advance the kingdom by force but to spread it through the contagious power of Christ's love. Pray today that God will use your life as an invitation to bring others to Himself, so that they may join you in praising Him as King of kings and Lord of lords.

Discuss: What do you think it means to have Jesus as your King? How have you experienced His reign in your life thus far? What would life on earth look like today if Jesus' reign was perfectly established?

Prayer:  Thank you Jesus for being my King.  Help me to let you lead and guide me in the actions I should take in my life.  Fill me with the values of Your kingdom. Help me to love my enemies, do good to those who hate me, serve the poor, and spread the good news of Your kingdom everywhere I go.  Amen.

Songs: O Come All Ye Faithful, We Three Kings, What Her Heart Remembered by Michael Card

Ornaments: https://biblestoryprintables.com/themed-bible-printables/christmas-bible-printables/names-of-jesus-advent-ornaments/

Cooking: Epiphany, celebrated in European countries, marks the coming of the wise men who brought gifts to the Christ Child. Epiphany is also called Little Christmas on the Twelfth Night, and is celebrated twelve nights after Christmas. People from all of the world celebrate Epiphany by exchanging gifts and feasting. A very popular custom that is still celebrated is the making of the "King's Cake" which represents the three kings who brought gifts. A plastic baby is baked inside the King Cake, and the tradition is whoever receives the baby in their piece of cake must buy the next King Cake or throw the next party. King Cakes are made of a cinnamon filled dough in the shape of a hollow circle. The cake is topped with a delicious glazed topping and then sprinkled with colored sugar. The three colors of the sugar are Purple (representing Justice), Green (representing Faith) and Gold (representing Power).   Follow the recipe http://www.marthastewart.com/319092/king-cake  to make your own “king cake.”

Craft: Make crowns. Older children can perhaps illustrate the combination of Jesus as servant and king.