And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. -Philippians 2:8

Have you ever held a newborn during its first seconds of life? The most terrifying rotation I did in medical school was Obstetrics. Each of my classmates delivered probably three to four infants. Me? Thirteen. Thirteen slippery, squirmy, infinitely precious babies. Each and every time, I could barely breathe as I brought the child from the mother to the tiny exam table. I have never been more aware of the fragility of human life than in those breathless seconds. This Christmas, reflecting on these memories has helped me see just how humble King Jesus’ birth truly was.

I tend to think about Christ’s humility only regarding his humble manner of life and (seemingly) shameful death. Consider things from Mary’s perspective, though, and a broader picture comes into view. Mary, at probably 13- or 14-years-old, held in her arms a wailing, bloody, dependent baby, knowing that she fed and tended the Son of the Most High. Was she frightened she might drop him? Or that she would feed and clothe him inadequately? Maybe not but, for a short time, the Father God gave his Son to Mary as a helpless child. She must have rejoiced as he grew and thrived, his wisdom and sinless nature shining forth from a little boy’s body.

Two thousand years later, we still celebrate our Father’s miraculous gift: his Son, vulnerable and weak in an infant’s body. But would we still celebrate Christmas if we had no Easter to anticipate? What if Jesus came to his people with no intention of dying for them? The answer can be found in the book of Revelation. Jesus, when he returns to earth, brings judgment – repaying each of us for what we’ve done. If, in the first century, he chose not to die for us, his incarnation would only condemn the world – and rightly so. When he returns, the sharp sickle with which he will reap the world would bring every human soul into the lake of fire. No New Jerusalem. No white robes. Certainly no golden crowns.

Jesus didn’t have to bear the frailty of a creature from his own Creation. He did not have to teach and preach to the hard hearts of his own people. He did not have to die. But …God so loved the world that he gave his only Son…. There is good reason John 3:16 is one of the most widely known verses of the Bible. This Christmas, let’s remember John 3:17, as well. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Even as he stood in Eden and breathed life into man, God knew the price of loving us with mercy and grace. His Son beside him knew it as well. And, for the joy set before him¹, Jesus forever tied himself to our salvation.

My favorite thing about the Bible, besides it being God’s true Word, is its extraordinary continuity. Though it spans thousands of years and multiple cultures, God’s character, might, and steadfast love are presented with absolute consistency from Genesis through Revelation. Adam and Eve are promised restoration. Abraham is promised a home. Moses and the Israelites are promised God’s providence. The prophets proclaim a Messiah sent to redeem mankind. But who could guess that the great turning point of history would be a wet, squirmy bundle of joy, with straw from a manger stuck in his hair? The mystery of God revealed – a child King, a fragile God, a sinless man. Strength in weakness. Exaltation through humility. Life through death.

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. -Hebrews 12:1-2