And He is the radiance of His glory
and the exact representation of His nature,
and upholds all things by the word of His power.
Hebrews 1:3
Babies on the brain. That’s been the state of affairs at our house ever since this summer. When both our children and their spouses announced Philo grandbaby #2 will arrive in late January followed by #3 in early April. Hiram’s busy building baby furniture and baby toys in his shop. I’m busy ordering board books and preparing freezer meals. My sister is planning a small family baby shower the weekend after Thanksgiving, and Hiram and I are planning other Christmas surprises to make life easier for the mammas after their babies are born.
With Christmas only weeks away, each time I dream of holding those sweet infants in my arms, breathing in their baby smell, and kissing their foreheads, my thoughts drift to the birth of Jesus. I think of Jesus–the radiance of God’s glory, the exact representation of His nature, who upholds all things by the word of His power–come to earth as a newborn babe. The thought boggles my mind.
Why did God come to earth as a baby? As a human baby, more dependent and for longer than any other babies in all creation? Why did God come to earth as a baby dependent on parents for both his physical survival and for the nurturing, loving relationship that teaches babies how to love? Why would God set aside his power and majesty and glory and come in humility as a baby who needed the love of mere humans in order to thrive and grow?
My answer feels small as a baby.
Insignificant as a manger.
But a baby in a manger changed the world, and the answer the Holy Spirit whispers in my heart changes the way I see the world. God came to the earth as a baby to show us that tiny lives have value. He was born to Mary and Joseph to impress upon mankind the sacredness of family. He was nurtured throughout childhood by his parents to show the importance of relationship and compassion and patience in the shaping of every life.
God sent Jesus to earth as a tiny baby, dependent on the adults who loved Him, to show sinful men how to reflect the radiance of God’s glory, the exact representation of His nature, and the power that upholds the world. It is reflected when we follow the example of Christ by humbling ourselves before the Father. By submitting to His call to engage in relationship with those who are small. With those whose survival depends upon our acts of compassion.
The changing of a diaper.
An Operation Christmas Child shoebox.
Thirty-five dollars a month to support a child in the Congo.
Fixing supper for children at Adventure Club.
Because, “Truly,” Jesus tells us, “to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.”
To Jesus. A baby born in a manger.
To Jesus, Lord of all.
