Descent of God the conquering King … how much did those shepherds know about the child they were led to visit? What thoughts would rush into my head if I had a time machine and could visit that scene?
I confess that the term sweet baby Jesus, as many refer to Him, often bothers me. They’re absolutely right of course, and I am behaving somewhat curmudgeonly. Yet I can’t help thinking that amidst all the Christmas ado with the trees and jingles and presents, we lose focus on the enormity of what happened…
Who was that baby?
God the King, the Maker and Sustainer of all things condescended to come to earth in the form of a little baby to rescue us from hell and redeem the whole of creation!
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:1-5
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:5-11
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. Col 1:13-17
As Bishop Dobbs notes, per this Juicy Ecumenism article:
“Have you ever thought that the reason for Christmas is because God wants to destroy something? Jesus came, not for a sentimental marketing opportunity, but on a Search and Destroy Mission!”
Moreover, it was a rescue mission.
BRIGHT and joyful is the morn,
For to us a child is born;
From the highest realms of heaven,
Unto us a Son is given.
On His shoulder He shall bear
Power and majesty, and wear
On His vesture and His thigh
Names most awful, names most high.
Wonderful in counsel He,
The Incarnate Deity,
Sire of ages ne’er to cease,
King of Kings, and Prince of Peace.
Come and worship at His feet;
Yield to Christ the homage meet;
From His manger to His throne,
Homage due to God alone.
James Montgomery
See also:
Christ The King is Coming Again
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