Christmas and a Beautiful Baby
Approaching Christmas brings thoughts of a manger, a beautiful baby in white swaddles, Mary and Joseph, wisemen, shepherds, angels. Then add gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Now, pull this ancient beautiful story forward into the present and picture a bright, decorated evergreen tree, stockings at a fireplace hearth, goodies and wassail on a festive table. Family and friends are part of holiday plans – even during a pandemic. This year we add masks, social distancing, virtual visits for gift exchanges to share special moments. I’m sure you have explored creative options. Then there’s the beautiful Christmas music and cards or e-cards.
Do you stop to ponder what all this December celebration means and why you participate every year? What is the focus of a beautiful baby in a manger? Why did the little fellow receive visitors giving such elaborate gifts? Announcing a birth with angels is – wow. Why do people celebrate this birth with special moments and so much festivity?
My conclusion? This baby is very special. And this beautiful baby, Jesus, has a God.
God and a Beautiful Baby
What an odd statement! “Jesus has a God.” Christmas focuses on a beautiful baby. Yet, it’s profound to consider two things. This beautiful baby is God. This baby has a God.
Normally, we equate Jesus as God: the Son of God. But to say He has a God puts Him strangely on the same plain as you and me. Another “proof” of His incarnation can be put simply this way: Jesus is God (His God-ness), and He has a God (His humanity).
What Is a God?
Name the most important thing in your life? What do you desire more than anything else? This thing would be something you think about very often, crave with your very heart, and pursue with all your resources. It could be a person, place, or thing. It might be an experience. Perhaps it’s an idea or concept. It’s possible this thing is your god. You do have a god. Every person does.
Scripture clearly communicates the “Heavenly Father” is Jesus’ God. (Gal. 1:3) Jesus desires God more than anything.
What or who is your god? Could your god be competing with God’s rightful place in your heart?
People and a Beautiful Baby
There is something else extremely important to Jesus –people! You and me. That’s why He became a beautiful baby. When He grew into a man, He took all humanity’s sins into His own body and died on a cross to pay the penalty for sin. That was His main purpose for coming, but it was not His end. He rose up from death, providing a path into eternal life for anyone who would follow Him. People are that important to Jesus. You are that important to Jesus. He loves you deeply.
Even though Jesus loves people radically, humanity is not His god. God is His God. Yet, we are a very high priority to Him. Before the creation of the world, God chose you to be His son or daughter. His plans for you are good, not evil, to give you a hope and a future. (Jer. 29:11)
Because you are deeply valued and loved, God wants you live a holy life knowing Him. He wants to be your God because He is the best thing for you.
The Beautiful Baby is The Word
Before Jesus quietly slipped into the human race one night in a manger, He was called “The Word.” (Jn. 1:1) At birth, He was called Jesus, which means “Savior,” and Emmanuel, which means “God with us.” This beautiful baby is the Living Word of God.
The Beautiful Baby Worships
Jesus worships the one true God. And He shows you how to worship. Jesus beautifully portrayed worship and faith during His life on earth.
Rom. 8:34 says Jesus is at the right hand of God interceding for you and me – now! So, there is a man who is also God, and He’s praying for you! Jesus has invited you into rich fellowship with Himself and with Father.
The Beautiful Baby Connects
God’s most lavish Christmas gift to you is His Son. Jesus connects you with the person you were created to be. Jesus makes it possible to recover your true identity. You can be you!
Jesus helps you live well. He fills pockets of sorrow with comfort. He balances grief with hope. You are the recipient of His good gifts that co-exist even in hard times. This Christmas, why not focus on His invisible gifts? Jesus is very present in your life.
In Christ, you have been given promises for your life. 2 Cor. 1:20 says all God’s promises to you are “yes” in Christ. Jesus modeled how to claim God’s promises by faith.
This beautiful baby forms a bridge from God to connect with you.
Beautiful to His Very Middle
Jesus, who is human to His very middle, has a God. He also is God. The very existence of the grown-up beautiful Christmas baby is filled with wonder. This holiday month, I invite you to engage thoughtful contemplation about His gifts of love. Why not accept His invitation to be friends? Why not learn how to worship through your daily details, even when things don’t go very well?
Application Questions
- Who is your god? Is it Jesus’ God?
- Have you responded to the beautiful baby to connect with God? Have you let Him connect you to your true identity in Christ so you can be yourself?
- How can you enjoy the beautiful baby this Christmas? Pen to paper:
- Jot specific choices you can make these weeks of celebration with your time, energy, money, and relationships.
- Jot action steps to engage so you can be the person God created. Why not make deliberate choices to be yourself this Christmas? How freeing!
- Set reminders on your phone or device to keep the above choices in front of you and have resolve to carry them out.
Make this Christmas exceptional by joining the beautiful Baby to worship God.
Article developed from Gal. 1:1-14
IT HAS ARRIVED!!
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