The Humble King—and Heir of All Things

Advent confronts us with a holy paradox: the Son who “emptied Himself” is now declared the Heir of all things. The manger and the throne inhabit the same story. The One who descended in humility now reigns in glory. This isn’t mere seasonal sentiment; it’s a summons. Amid biblical confusion and daily distractions, we are called to seek Christ, go boldly to Him, and write His Word on our hearts, trusting His providence even through life’s storms.

Paul instructs the church to embrace the mind of Christ, who “emptied Himself” (the kenosis), not by ceasing to be God, but by laying aside the privileges of His glory, taking the form of a servant, and obeying the Father even to death. For a careful look at kenosis, read this overview: What Does It Mean That Jesus “Emptied Himself”?

Yet the story does not end in descent. “Therefore God has highly exalted him” (Phil. 2:9). The same Scriptures proclaim His supreme authority and rightful inheritance: through the Son, the Father “appointed [Him] the heir of all things” (Hebrews 1:2), and “all things were created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:15–16). This is the cross-to-crown pattern at the heart of the gospel: poverty to riches for our sakes (2 Corinthians 8:9), humiliation to exaltation—so that all united to Christ become fellow heirs with Him (Romans 8:16–17).

Advent isn’t just remembering a birth; it is recognizing the King and the Heir of all things. He came low, He reigns high, and He invites you near.

How to Respond: Seek, Approach, Treasure

Advent discipleship tunes our hearts to the rhythm of the gospel through three essential responses.

1) Seek the Heir of All Things with Perseverance

• The Magi traveled far and faced danger to find the “King of the Jews,” guided by divine providence (Matthew 2:1–12).
• Jesus promises seekers: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find” (Matthew 7:7).

To seek is not passive. It is opening your Bible when your phone distracts, orienting your week around worship instead of convenience, listening, watching, and waiting until you find—and then, bowing before—the Heir of all things.

2) Go Boldly to Jesus

• Because our High Priest sympathizes with our weakness, we “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16).
• Boldness is trusting His mercy. Recall Mary—humble, honest, curious—asking “How will this be?” and then yielding, “Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:26–38).

Bring your questions, fears, and sin to the throne of the Heir of all things. Ask, knock, and receive grace and help.

3) Write the Word on the Tablet of Your Heart

• “Write them on the tablet of your heart” (Proverbs 3:3; see also Proverbs 7:3).
• Memorized Scripture becomes an anchor in confusion, a sword in temptation, and a song in the night. For motivation and practical help, visit Why Do We Memorize Scripture?.

In an age of biblical illiteracy, Christians who carry the Word in their minds and mouths speak with clarity, confidence, and compassion. Advent is an ideal season to store up passages about the Heir of all things who is Christ.

Saved by a Storm: Providence in a Hard Season

Not every December glitters. Some are marked by storms—illness, financial strain, relational fracture, or anxiety. The gospel’s pattern is a paradox: glory through humility, deliverance through hardship. The same God who guided Magi by a heavenly light also guides His people by storms at sea.

This is not romantic idealism—it is providence. The Christ who entered our poverty now reigns as the Heir of all things. He has not forgotten you. He may be purifying, rerouting, or shielding you in ways only clear in hindsight. Remember:

• Because He emptied Himself, He knows your suffering from the inside.
• Because He is Heir of all things, He holds your future with authority and kindness.
• Because you are a joint heir with Him, suffering is not the end; your inheritance is secure (Romans 8:16–17).

So in the storm, do what faith always does: seek the Heir of all things, go boldly to Him, and cling to His Word.

An Advent Rule of Life: Simple Steps, Deep Formation

If you’re seeking a practical path for this season, and maybe for the coming year, try this Advent pattern. Simple, yet deeply forming—for individuals, couples, or families.

Daily (10–15 minutes):

• Seek: Read an Advent passage and ask: What does this show me about Jesus, the Heir of all things? How should I respond? Rotate through Luke 1:26–38, Matthew 2:1–12, and Philippians 2:5–11.
• Go Boldly: Pray Hebrews 4:16: “Father, because of Jesus, I come boldly for mercy and help.” Name your needs. Ask for wisdom.
• Treasure: Memorize one or two verses about Christ as the Heir of all things—start with Philippians 2:9–11 or Hebrews 1:2. Review throughout your day.

Weekly:

• Worship: Make corporate worship your priority. Come early, stay late, and encourage someone while magnifying the Heir of all things.
• Witness: Share a remembered verse in a conversation. Let Scripture about the Heir of all things speak with its own power.
• Service: Practice humble obedience—anonymous generosity, unrecognized forgiveness, unseen intercession—reflecting the King’s humility.

Why This Matters Now

Our age is loud, fast, and often cynical. But the church’s greatest need isn’t more noise—it’s deep formation. Advent offers a counter-litany: bow before the King and Heir of all things, cherish His Word, and embody His humility. This way, we’re ready to answer a confused world with clarity, confidence, and compassion.

Christians shaped by Philippians 2 and Hebrews 1 can endure poverty with hope and plenty with humility. We walk into storms without despair and into palaces without pride. We seek Him because He sought us. We come boldly because He came near. We treasure His Word because He, the Heir of all things, deserves our heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Take Heart: The Heir Welcomes Seekers

Whether this season gives you a star to follow or a storm to endure, the invitation remains: seek and you will find (Matthew 7:7). Approach the throne of grace boldly (Hebrews 4:16). Write His words on the tablet of your heart (Proverbs 7:3). The Christ who emptied Himself now reigns as the Heir of all things—and in Him, you are an heir too.

So seek, approach, and treasure Him. Let Advent tune your life to the song of the King and the Heir of all things.