The Infant Savior

I know Christmas is over but I’m still reflecting on the season. Well, not really the season as much as the story of God being born and the blessing it is that he is born in a baby. It’s astounding that the all powerful being would become an all dependent one. This year when I contemplated Jesus the infant, I saw God’s declaration of trust in us. Here in a manger, in swaddling clothes, in all vulnerability, He unabashedly placed Himself into the arms of a woman and a man.

What are you up to God doing something like that?

Even more astounding is that in the Infant Savior, God says at the same time two things; I trust you and you utterly need my help. In this moment of time, God gives us a picture of the beauty of a mutual dependence. He says love and care for me as I love and care for you. We find Him trusting His original creation in us, believing it’s still there, calling it out to its final redemption.

Lord what original beauty do you trust in me?

My heart is suspicious of this declaration of trust, being so use to thinking poorly of myself, being so use to thinking that God thinks poorly of me. As the baby is handed to me my eyes dart around the room thinking, ok someone else is going to step in now, right? Where’s the nanny or the nurse or the someone that knows better than I do, but that person doesn’t come, and if I don’t extend my arms the baby will fall.

Lord in the midst of what fear have you asked me to watch you?

The baby’s in my arms now and I am beginning to believe. Slowly I am melted by God’s declaration of trust in me. I find my heart locked in the gaze of mother and child adoring Him who loves me, seeing Him adore me, hearing our voices ring with the I love that was meant to go back and forth for all time.