God of Glory | A Christmas Reflection

Sunday, during worship at church, a family made their way down the aisle to seats in front of us. The husband was pushing a stroller. Inside was a tiny, precious newborn. 
 
“Joyful, joyful, we adore thee God of glory Lord of all…”
 
As I and many others pointed, “ooh”ing and “ahh”ing with uncontrollable smiles plastered across our faces it struck me that this is how the God of glory came to us.

Not as an autonomous grown-up.
Not as a commanding military leader.
Not as an unapproachable deity.
 
But as a fragile baby. Utterly and completely dependent on human beings to care for Him.
 
Imagine being the God of glory, and going from being worshiped by angels 24/7 and supremely self-sufficient, to this.
 
Not only that but imagine learning how to walk and talk when you spoke the earth into existence.
 
Imagine submitting to sinful parents when you, yourself, are the embodiment of perfection.
 
Imagine being misunderstood, maligned, and mistreated by those who should have been the first to perceive and embrace you.
 
Imagine having the power to bypass not only the most excruciating death on earth, but the even-worse consequences of taking on the sin of the world: shame and separation.
 
Jesus did all of this.
 
This Christmas, I am struck by the beauty of the humility of Christ.
​He stooped low “…for the joy set before him…” (Heb. 12:2)
 
What joy?
 
The joy of “It is finished.”
The joy of complete restoration.
The joy of you and I, delighting in the infinite glory of His goodness.
 
As we transition into the throes of this holiday season, may we set our sights on this joy, and may our hearts overflow with praises to our God of glory.