I have a favorite poem by a woman named Luci Shaw called Mary’s Song. She writes this poem in the 1^st person sharing some possible thoughts of this young virgin girl as she holds her newborn baby in her arms. As Mary wrestles with the implications of the Creator and Savor of the world being reduced to helpless human form she also begins to grapple with the suffering he will face one day. “And Mary pondered all these things in her heart.” Luke 2:19

I am deeply touched that God chose to be born as a baby to a young and inexperienced mother. Sure she was a godly and upstanding young woman with an amazing maturity and submissiveness to the Lord, answering the angel’s pronouncement to her with the words, “Be it unto me, according to thy word”. (Luke 1:38)  But she was still a human and this child was a God-man, unlike any other before or since. Yes Mary has a unique place in history, but I can relate to her still because she was a mother. She held this baby in her arms and nursed him as I have done with my own four children. She comforted him when he fell and skinned his knee. She worried about him (perhaps needlessly, but that doesn’t stop a mother). She listened to his thoughts and stories of what excited him.   How do I know? Because God sent Jesus into a family and made Him fully human at the same time that He was still fully divine. And these are the kinds of things that happen in a family.

To me sending Jesus to be part of a family affirms and celebrates the design that God created from the beginning. “That a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife and the two shall become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24) and out of that union will come children, God’s blessing and design to bring dominion on the earth. And the closer I am to His design and pattern (which is not necessarily the one of the culture around me), the more I will know the joy and blessing of living as God has designed me to be. 

Why did God pick this manner of intrusion into our life and world. I am sure I don’t know all the whys or hows but I will venture to put forth some of my ideas.

First He came this way, because it is so human. What could be more human than a squalling red-faced infant, newly arrived in this world? That is the way we all arrive in this world; there is no exception (at least not yet). Jesus arrived the same way I did and the same way my children did. That is truly mind boggling when I stop to contemplate this truth. He could have chosen any manner of methods, but he chose the one I am bound to, in order to become my high priest and my sacrificial lamb.

Secondly he came this way because it was so humbling. To quote a line from Shaw’s poem, “Breath, mouth, ears, eyes, he is curtailed who overflowed all skies, all years.” It was certainly humbling to be crucified on a cross when he was not guilty. But I am not sure that was any more humbling that being born as a helpless babe. Philippians 2:7  tells us that “He made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant and coming in the likeness of men.” He created us and now he is forced to curtail himself to the same form which he created. The Maker stoops to be the created. No where else have we seen or heard of this in all of history. 

Thirdly he came this way for his own glory. All that God does is for his glory, because He is infinitely worthy. He is not stuck on Himself; he simply knows the truth that He is the beginning and the end of all things. And He is glorified by stooping to the form of a baby who grew to a child and then to a man and then was crucified on a cross. We will spend all of eternity praising and worshiping Him because of this plan of His and we will understand its many facets and intricate weavings. And we will not cease to be amazed, which is why we will need an eternity to worship. “Now we see in a glass darkly, but then we will see face to face.” ( I Cor. 13:12)

Fourth, He came this way because of his great love for us, His creation. If he entered our world in any other manner it probably would have been strong and forceful. It would have left us judged and found wanting with no hope of redemption. Coming as a human baby catches us unaware, off guard and in those moments of identification our hearts soften and the Holy Spirit draws us into His love and transformation. Our God loves us and has left no stone unturned in His pursuit of us, His children. He is a loving Father who has satisfied His justice with the sacrifice of His son and now He throws open the door and says “Come in, beloved of the Father”. 

And so for my 48^th Advent season I again ponder the wonders of the Incarnation and of the amazing plan of the God I serve. This never gets old. And I wonder and I hope and I worship. May you do the same.