A Royal Baby

Little What’s-His-Name, heir to the throne of the United Kingdom, was born yesterday to Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge at St. Mary’s Hospital in London. He was born in the Lindo Wing, the same part of the hospital where his father and Uncle Harry were born. The hospital door has been watched with bated breath. Who will enter? When will we see the baby? Any snippet of news—the arrival of the royal car seat—is greeted by eager journalists trying to figure out what will happen next. Mrs. Middleton says the little guy is “absolutely beautiful.” But of course . . . her first grandchild. What else would she say?

Children are excited. Tourists are gawking. News presenters have camped out for weeks in front of the hospital. The people from Kate’s hometown Bucklebury are ecstatic and planning a village party.

This whole new prince “show” got me thinking about birth, especially a royal birth.

A royal son, presented to the world.

When Jesus was born, it wasn’t in the privileged Lindo Wing. His birth was attended only by animals and Jesus’ stepfather.

Now, there was fanfare, an angelic announcement—better than a framed piece on an easel, I think. Adoration . . . the Son of God. The heavens declare the glory of God: a special star. Never again a birth like Jesus’ birth!

The Bible talks of births and kings. In fact, the whole theme of the Bible is the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus. The Bible also talks about newborn babies. It speaks of children growing in wisdom and in knowledge.

The new Prince Whatever-His-Name enters a lifestyle that’s the envy of many. Privilege, money, all of his needs catered to. Caregivers in every direction. He will be surrounded by attention, photographers, and love.

A newborn Christian starts out in the same way! In a sense, every baby Christian is a blue blood. He has all the spiritual riches in glory at his disposal. All he has to do is to enjoy them.

• He drinks the milk of the Word. He grows. (1 Peter 2:2)
• He eats more spiritual food and grows some more. (2 Corinthians 9:10)
• Eventually, Christian has grown big enough to eat like a big person. He can eat spiritual meat. (1 Corinthians 10:3; Hebrews 5:13)
• Our Father God has promised to supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). 

The Bible talks about the believer’s kinship with the King. Did you ever think about being adopted as a prince or princess into God’s family, when you trusted Christ? (Galatians 4:5; Romans 8:17)

The royal baby will be called . . . . There are people betting on whether he will be George, Arthur, Phillip, James. Who knows?

When we accept Christ as our Savior, we get a new name: Christian (follower of Christ).

The new little prince is already third in line to the throne. Everyone is saying it will be a long time until he accedes, since those before him have lived very long lives. Heir to the throne of the United Kingdom. Wow! Can you imagine all that that entails? Pomp. Ceremony. The changing of the guard, the trooping of the colors. Today, there were 61 guns going off in honor of his birth. The bells of Westminster Cathedral rang for three hours. This little guy is important!

And, so are we. 

• We are heirs to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:7)
• Angels minister to us. (Hebrews 1:14)
• We are rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him (James 2:5). 

So, the next time you see a glimpse of the cute, blond little prince, remember . . .

If you know the Lord as your Savior, you’re as royal as he!

You are rich toward God (from Luke 12:21), a child of the King.