"What Child Is This?"

Just think what we know about the baby born in Bethlehem some 2,000 years ago—about who he was (and is), and what the Father intended to accomplish through his Son’s entrance into human life:

The angel told Joseph that Mary’s baby was “Emmanuel,” i.e., “God with us” (Matt 1:23, quoting Isa 7:14—and in Isa 9:6 the child is called “Mighty God”). This divine child would “save his people from their sins” (Matt 1:21; and see Mark 10:45, he came to give his life as a ransom for many). Wise men from the east sought the newborn king “to worship him” (Matt 2:2, 8, 11).  O come, let us adore him!

Jesus would be “Son of the Most High” and reign on David’s throne forever—“of his kingdom there would be no end” (Luke 1:32-33).  Elizabeth calls Mary “the mother of my Lord” (Luke 1:43)—so the One to whom she would give birth was “the Lord.”

The pre-existent Word, which was God, “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:1, 14).  “The true light … was coming into the world” (John 1:9).  “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known” (John 1:18).

“By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh” (Rom 8:3).

“Although [Christ Jesus] was in the form of God, [he] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Phil 2:7).

“When [God] brings the firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him’” (Heb 1:6).  “For a little while [Jesus] was made lower than the angels” (Heb 2:9).  Jesus partook of our same flesh-and-blood nature (Heb 2:14).  Jesus was made like his brothers in every respect (Heb 2:17).

It is an awesome thing that the Creator should enter his creation in utter weakness and mind-boggling condescension!  But God’s love is that way—out of love the Father sent the Son to save all who turn to him in faith (John 3:16).

Are you trusting Jesus?  Is your Christmas celebration this year one of heart-felt worship of Christ the King?  Bow in wonder.  Sing with joy!  O come, let us adore Him!