you're such a baby
"The Lord has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations." —Isaiah 52:10
As the father of six, I have been privileged to wake up on six Christmas mornings and hold my infant child. I would stare at my baby in wonder, knowing that the Lord Jesus came to earth looking just like the infant in my arms. Despite all this experience with infants and Christmas, I have never been able to fathom the truth that God came to earth as a Baby.
Before the first Christmas, no one could see the face of God and hope to remain alive (Ex 33:20). A mere glance from the Lord threw the mighty Egyptian army into a fatal panic (Ex 14:24ff). Since the sovereign God of creation planned to become flesh (Jn 1:14), why would He come to earth in weak infancy rather than in adult strength? Some reasons could be:
- God wanted to draw His people to a deeper love of Him, and infants are easy to relate to with love (see Hos 11:4).
- God chose to speak to us through His Son (Heb 1:2), in clarity and fullness (cf Heb 1:1). His infancy makes us speechless. If we can't talk, we'll listen better (see Lk 1:20; 1:63ff).
- Who knows the mind of God? (Rm 11:34) His infancy keeps us docile to His mysterious ways.
- God is Love (1 Jn 4:8, 16). Infants excel at evoking love.
- In God's weakness is our strength (cf 1 Cor 1:25).
Jesus has beautiful feet and holy arms (Is 52:7, 10). He lives among us (Jn 1:14). Jesus is born! Live in His love (Jn 15:9).
Prayer: Jesus, I give You the birthday present You want: my life.
Promise: "Any who did accept Him He empowered to become children of God." —Jn 1:12
Praise: Praise Jesus, helpless Infant yet sovereign Lord, our Help, our Love, our Life!
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 27, 2011
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