Who is This Baby to You?
12/21/2016
As Christmas Day approaches I am always nostalgic within my spirit as to the purpose, meaning and significance Christmas has had and continues to have in my life. As a child even though we did Santa I always knew and celebrated the real reason of that day…Jesus! I loved the story of Jesus’ birth - that precious swaddled baby laying in a manger with the onlookers of the angels, shepherds, Kings and animals. I could not wait to see the live nativity at our church as I would request to watch it from the beginning to end as I did not want to miss any of the details. When I got into middle school, I started participating in the nativity as an angel. Even though I had tried in the past to imagine what it would have been like to be each and every person, it took on a new persona as I was now dressed as an angel overlooking baby Jesus. Wow, what a game changer to be watching over in silence the one whom the angels knew as King Jesus! My mind had conjured numerous scenarios through the years but as my life experiences, knowledge and understanding of scripture grew, my perspective changed. Reality replaced the childlike lens of innocence. I was able to see the harsh reality of what Mary and Joseph faced separately and together. Even though I was a believer and had accepted Jesus as my Savior that baby started developing into more that just God’s only son and Savior to the world…Instead of just being my Savior, He manifested into far more over the years. Now, when I see a nativity or hear the story of Jesus’s birth my spirit ruminates over all the things He has become to me and my heart wells with such praise and gratitude that I just can’t contain it.
As my Savior he has unveiled Himself to me these past 49 years in new and fresh ways and every year He has become more precious then before. He has made Himself known to me as my: Friend in the moments I felt lonely, Hope when despairing, LORD when surrendering my false sense of control, Peace in the midst of storms, Physician and Healer when ill, Advocate when falsely accused, Intercessor when I could not think or pray, Shepherd who guided and directed my way when lost, Resting Place when weary, Redeemer with my losses, Restorer of my broken places, Refuge and Strength when worn, Hiding Place and Shelter when raw and vulnerable, Potter to mold me into His likeness, Sure Foundation when things are unstable, Teacher instructing me in His ways, Counselor coaching me through life’s encounters, Comforter mending and nurturing my spirit, Husband over every detail of my life, Provider for all my needs, and my Rock with stones of remembrances of great things that He has done reminding me there’s more to come. I have also found Him to be the: Faithful and True in every aspect of who He is and what He does, Author and Finisher of my faith, Bread of Life sustaining me, Light that equips me to let my light shine and be an enhancement in the places He calls, Lover of my soul, Resurrection and Life giving me an abundant life here and for eternity in Him, and Truth as there is no other.
I am in awe of the one who came, conquered and called me out by name and am enamored with the depth of His AMAZING LOVE. He left His kingship to come as a baby in a filthy barn to then grow and become the propitiation for our sin. Upon conquering death in victory, He invites us to believe and receive Him into our hearts. And then He intimately interacts in each of our lives with such significance, passion and purpose. When I look at that nativity now, I KNOW how that baby changed everything and am reminded there is NO HIGH like the MOST HIGH…JESUS THE MESSIAH.
"Jesus Messiah, name above all names
Blessed redeemer, Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners, the ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all
All our hope is in You,
All the glory to You, God, the light of the world
Father who gives every good and perfect gift" By Chris Tomlin
I hope you have had an encounter with baby Jesus and through Him you have come to know Jesus the Messiah! There is so much to who He is and He longs to display it all for you! Open your heart and let Him in to work in new and fresh ways.
I love you dear friends and pray you experience Christ in ways you never have and that you are able to receive all He has for you!
Merry Christmas!