“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law.”
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger…”
The idea of God becoming a man and the wonder of it is being celebrated by Christians everywhere at this time of year. Many who do not claim the name Christian ascribe to this celebration a certain nodding acceptance of the feeling of goodwill toward men it brings.
There is something about the Divine as a helpless baby that people can buy into—as long as He stays helpless and in the manger. Let Him out to walk among us as the bodily fulness of God, and the world is quick to deny He exists.
God is not supposed to ask things of us. God is supposed to be waiting on our cry to give things to us. God is supposed to always be with us to affirm our worth. An adult Jesus does not seem to fit with that idea, but that is because we are willfully blind.
Jesus says, “Follow Me” in order to lead us into sharing the eternal life of joy He has to give. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” He could not remain a baby and save us any more than we can coo over Him in the manger and be saved. The Holy Spirit of God housed in human flesh is the gift the Christ child brings to all who will receive it.
The foundation of Christianity is not about what we give to God or what we do for God. It is about what God has already done for us in the person of the Babe of Bethlehem.
In the words of the old hymn,
What child is this who laid to rest, On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste haste to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary,
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