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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
This time of year we expect to see the story of the birth of Christ played out in humble means by children in small churches, or by freezing “actors” in “living” nativity scenes, or in glitzy performances by mega church choirs. Why, even the Rockettes present the Christmas story at the end of every performance. All of these presentations begin with the typical scene of Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus in a stable, surrounded by farm animals, and conclude with an unbiblical menagerie of shepherds, wise men and angels worshipping the Christ child.
While this serves as a sweet reminder to get one focused on the true meaning of Christmas, it somehow misses the awesome significance of this event. The Word, the Logos, the revealed Wisdom of God, was manifested in a tiny, helpless infant. This now revealed Word, our verse tells us, existed with God at the beginning of time (v. 2), and He was, in fact, very God. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (v. 3). “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:6-7). And so, “the Word was made flesh” (John 1:14) in the form of a helpless baby – a baby that, though He existed in eternity past, entered and grew in His mother’s womb from a zygote to a fetus that had to fight His way through the birth canal. He came as a baby that had to be nursed at His mother’s breast. A baby that had to be carried everywhere He went. A baby that had to have His diapers changed. This was God in human form – the Creator of heaven and earth cloaked in human flesh as a babe.
The idea of it all is inconceivable! Yet, this was His plan from the beginning, so that “as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). That is the message that is often overshadowed in the scenes of the season.
The lyrics to Mark Lowry’s song, “Mary Did You Know” so poignantly express the significance of this blessed event:
Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am.
This Christmas, try to think past the manger scene and see the babe for the God He truly is.
