World-renowned preacher, Billy Graham, once said, “I had been taught all of my life how to die, but no one had ever taught me how to grow old.” I understand. I’m not looking forward to the day when I suddenly realize my get up and go has got up and went. I dread the day when I’ll become dependent upon other people taking care of my most basic needs because I will have lost the ability to take care of myself. Saying that, I’ve gone through a phase like that before when I was a baby. What’s the big deal if I have to go through a phase like that again?
Then there’s Jesus. For all eternity past, He never needed anybody. Nobody ever had to wait on Him to meet His most basic needs. He never knew the sensation of helplessness or weakness. He was and always had been the One providing life and help for everything else. He was and always had been the One in control; His authority and power were beyond description. I wonder what went through His mind when His Father made up the story of the manger? I don’t relish the thought of becoming helpless again when I know what helplessness was like. What thoughts raced through Jesus’ mind when He considered becoming that little baby born in a stable? A baby that angels would worship, but no longer approach to ask questions or permission. A baby that would no longer cause mountains to quake or the earth to tremble. A baby that wouldn’t even be able to walk or feed Himself much less perform His duties as the Lord of all creation and king of the universe.
Most of the time, we consider Jesus’ sacrifice to be restricted to what happened on Good Friday’s cross, whereas Christmas was the joyous time when He got to experience a memorable birthday party complete with guests traveling great distances bearing expensive gifts. But let us not forget how much Jesus had to love us to endure Christmas, too. I don’t think we’ll ever understand what it meant for Jesus to knowingly give up all of His self-sufficiency, glory, and power to be helplessly born amongst a people who would eventually come to hate Him. No other birthday in history came at such a great cost to the Birthday Baby, but I for one sure appreciate it.
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Fred Harris serves as pastor for First Baptist Church of Winslow.
