In the birth of Christ, we find a pre-existent King – the very God of very God; He is full of grace and truth (John 1:14), co-equal and co-eternal with the Father, “by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him” (1 Colossians1:16). This is the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords! And yet He conceals His deity, leaves His glory and submits to the limits of flesh as the humble son of a peasant girl living in subjection and abject poverty. Simply amazing! It is the mystery of what of the J.I. Packer calls the great act of condescension and self-humbling.
You would remember of course that
this great act of condescension is not limited to His birth but is the reality
of His life. Mary’s lowly baby does not grow up to opulence but quietly grows
in wisdom, stature and favor with God and man(Luke 2:52); He lives a sinless life and in
the end suffers the humiliating death of crucifixion. All this for what, some might
ask?
The Scripture states that in
the fullness of time, the Father sends His Son, born of woman, to redeem His
enemies and make them children of God (Galatians 4:4-5). Simply put, “It pleased the LORD to crush Him and put Him
to grief … he was crushed for our iniquities; the chastisement that brought us
peace was upon Him (Isaiah 53:5-10). This Royal Baby was born to be crushed
that we might be raised up. He was made poor that we might be made rich. He
took on sin on the cross that we might be clothed in His righteousness. He
descended that we might ascend one day in Him to partake in His exaltation and
His glory (Romans 8:16-17; Philippians 2:9-11). And this also was pleasing to the Father.
As the world celebrates the
birth of England’s royal baby, I am reminded of the humble birth of a King,
wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. And while there were no
flashing cameras to greet Him, we know that the sky itself shown with the glory
of God, the adoring voices of multitudes of angels bellowed from the heavens
(Luke 2:8-14), and gifts testifying of His majesty were brought from afar
(Matthew 2:1-12). This was indeed the very God of very God! For even in themidst of His great humiliation, His exaltation and glory is seen! Oh come, let
us adore Him!
Very good reminder of what the birth of Christ means for us as Christians. A humble birth indeed and we are to humble ourselves before Him as our Lord, Savior, God and King. Thanks Nana!!!
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