I love babies! And they are precious . . . precious gifts of God, that is.
Ah, Christmas. I love every normal aspect of it, don’t you? Church activities; pageants put on by children’s groups; choir cantatas, it’s all good!
I watched a video of a children’s Christmas play the other day, and I laughed until I cried. A very small girl was playing the part of a sheep peering into the manger at the baby Jesus, which was represented by a life-like doll. She looked at Jesus from a few angles as she squirmed to look without being too obvious. But then, she could not allow this scene to go by without satisfying the little girl within her. She suddenly reached in and grabbed the baby Jesus and attempted to get away with Him. Well, being a protective mother, the little girl who played Mary was quick to grab her baby from the grasp of the sheep (who wouldn’t?). Very soon a mild tug-o-war developed which escalated into a rolling wrestling match off the platform. Amid the sounds of little ones breaking character in the moment, many grownups could be seen prying the kids apart. Screen fades to black!
This CHRISTmas I will not be celebrating the birth of a child so much as I will be, once again, awed by the Incarnation of my Savior and King! Jesus Christ . . . Jesus, the Word, the Logos, the visible, physical, divine glorious expression of God. God of very God!
“The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)
“. . . He who has seen Me has seen the Father . . .” (John 14:9)
Emmanuel, God with us! This is more than the birth of a child, (though that was awesome and miraculous), this was the coming of God to be one of us, identify with us, and to redeem us, to save us from our sins through His determined, planned Cross of Calvary!
Beloved friend, as you gaze into the Christ-child this Christmas with the eyes of your heart, do not forget to behold His glory! It’s there! Embrace this Child for all you are worth! Merry Christmas!