A Look At Baby Jesus - A Look At Ourselves

No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. [1 John 4.12]

Compare this to something Paul wrote:

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme  over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. [Colossians 1.15-16]

And then...

For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. [Colossians 2.9]

Also, the writer of Hebrews started off with this statement:

The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. [Hebrews 1.3]

As today Christians the world over celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, should there not also be reflection upon our own birth in Him? As all heaven is recorded to have lauded His birth, so heaven rejoices at the new birth of every believer in Him.

But the Christmas Story does not end with a newborn baby...

As Jesus grew in knowledge and stature, we find the pattern for our own development in Him.

As Jesus taught and preached on the shores of Galilee, we find the model for our own ministry in Him.

As Jesus had compassion on all, healed the sick, fed thousands and raised the dead, we find our own "normal" in Him.

As Jesus was unjustly reviled, rejected and persecuted, we find our own cross in Him.

As Jesus was raised up from death and the grave, we find our own victory in Him.

Jesus said:

I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]

As Jesus now sits at the right hand of the Father, we find our own position as intercessors and reconcilers of men unto God in Him. 

Nothing could be more important to consider on this Christmas Day than this... IF Jesus is the full expression of God and we genuinely believe in Him, THEN we are the full expression of God.

Conversely, IF Jesus is the full expression of God and we do not genuinely believe in Him, THEN we are not the full expression of God. 

The implications of the previous paragraph should go beyond our religious exterior. 

As we consider the Baby Jesus today, let us believe in Him, and then prove that we believe in Him by growing up in Him. And then, let us prove we are growing up in Him by ministering and doing miracles in Him. Let us prove we are ministering and doing miracles in Him by bearing revile, rejection and persecution (our cross) in Him, Then let us prove bearing our cross in Him as we rise from our spiritual deadness in Him. And finally, let us prove we are risen from the dead in Him by interceding with Him as we sit in Him at God's right hand - so that we too might express the full love of God to the world.

Dear reader, as you look at all the images and celebrate the Baby Jesus today, please don't miss this opportunity to see yourself - to see what God has called you to in Him.

Merry Christmas!

Father, may the truth of Jesus Christ be revealed to hearts all over the world today. May we see ourselves as God came into the world to be one of us... May we believe in Him... not just as a baby born, but as the Son of God sitting at Your right hand, in Whom we live and move and have our being. So be it.