Maria Merian (1647-1717)

The beauty of Christmas is that we get to visit a lowly manger with not much comfort for the couple who are there and see a baby who is said to be the Son of God being carried by his young mother and watch the glory in that scene. This is as glorious as it gets. It really is. And if you can’t see how glorious this is, you are missing it. Think about it. Christ,

“Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:7

Yes, the beauty of the incarnation of Christ is that He could be born in the most humble place and still retain His deity. He didn’t have to prove a thing. He was glorious anywhere. Today, we see that Christ’s fullness is glorious. John 1:16 tells us:

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father…

Indeed, Christ came in all His glory. Full of glory. Glory that only God has. No one else can match it. No one else can compare it. This glory that Jesus has is only a glory that can be had by God. God Himself was showing the fullness of His glory in Jesus Christ. In times past, God had temporarily revealed Himself partially to His people. In the past, Moses had seen God’s glory pass (Exodus 33:22-23). In the past, the people of Israel had seen God’s glory after they complained about being in the wilderness (Exodus 14:10). But now, God’s full glory had arrived in Jesus Christ.

Do you see His glory? Has the glory of Christ’s incarnation been fogged up by things? Does His glory weigh on you? Today, you can behold God’s glory. Just like the shepherds saw His glory the night Christ was born, you can see it too. You can look at Christ and see His uniqueness that no other human being has had or will ever have. Christ, the only Son from the Father is letting us see the fullness of His glory. If you see His fullness, you will see that Christ is full of glory, and with the angels on that one night, ascribe glory to God, singing,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased.” (Luke 2:14)

Pray with me:

God, I give you glory as I acknowledge your Son full of glory. You are full of glory. And, we get to behold you in Christ. Although we may not comprehend your glory or understand your ways fully because of our finiteness, we know that Christ came full of glory, glory that only you have, God. Today, we remember your the north of Jesus and behold His glory, as we are amazed that you would reveal it to us. Thank you Father for your Son, full of glory!”