Once again at this time of year we turn our thoughts to the
birth of Jesus; but all too often the wonder of this awesome
event is obscured by the trappings of Christmas – holidays,
presents, food, television, etc. But it is worth having a much
closer look at the wonder of God coming to earth as a baby.
Think of any photos you may have around your house of
babies; maybe your children, grandchildren or great
grandchildren, or even babies your friends and families
may have had?
When we consider the ‘life’ of a baby, what are the
characteristics of babyhood? Total dependence for
warmth, food and love; languageless; everything is ‘new’;
inability to move where you want to; nappies, teething etc.
And when we think about such things, we start to marvel
that the eternal Son of God would submit Himself to the
state of babyhood.
Christian author Philip Yancey once said; “The God who
roared, who could order armies and empires about like
pawns on a chessboard, this God emerged in Palestine as
a baby who could not speak or eat solid food or control his
bladder, and depended on a teenage couple for shelter
food and love.”
* You, Jesus, were willing to lay aside everything – your
glory, your position, your power – for our sake.
* You were obedient to your Father in coming to earth.
* And in coming to earth as a helpless baby, not only were
you trusting yourself to a young, inexperienced couple, but
you were making yourself vulnerable to the attack of the
devil through Herod. And yet you trusted your Father to
keep you safe.
The Bible says; ‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son
is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The
mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.’
[Isaiah 9:6 KJV]
Given this wonderful description, readers of the Old
Testament could be forgiven for expecting a glorious,
triumphant entry into the world for the Messiah. But Jesus
chose the way of obscurity, of humility and servanthood;
yet those who seek Him will find Him to be the glorious
Messiah described in Isaiah chapter 9.
What a wonderful example to us today is the incarnation
of God, setting forth the pattern that Jesus would grow up
to present to us; a pattern for living, a pattern of
gentleness, humility and love.
And what a challenge for us as Christians!
As this season unfolds for another year, may we not only
give physical gifts to others, but also gifts of our own
gentleness, humility and love, as we follow the example of
the baby in the manger.
May you be richly blessed as you celebrate the birth of
Christ.
Pastor Steve Mayo