A Child Is Born

Introduction

Transition

Illumination

Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

A Child is born...

Messiah’s work is man’s work, yet He came, as we all do, as a newborn child. What had to happen before He could do His work? (He had to grow up) What did He experience growing up?

The New Topical Text Book: A Scripture Text Book for the Use of Ministers, Teachers, and All Christian Workers Human Nature of Christ, The

Human Nature of Christ, The

Was necessary to His mediatorial office. 1 Tim. 2:5. Heb. 2:17. Gal. 4:4, 5. 1 Cor. 15:21. Rom. 6:15, 19.

IS PROVED BY HIS

Conception in the Virgin’s womb. Mat. 1:18. Luke 1:31.

Birth. Mat. 1:16, 25. Mat. 2:2. Luke 2:7, 11.

Partaking of flesh and blood. Jno. 1:14. Heb. 2:14.

Having a human soul. Mat. 26:38. Luke 23:46. Acts 2:31.

Circumcision. Luke 2:21.

Increase in wisdom and stature. Luke 2:52.

Weeping. Luke 19:41. Jno. 11:35.

Hungering. Mat. 4:2. Mat. 21:18.

Thirsting. Jno. 4:7. Jno. 19:28.

Sleeping. Mat. 8:24. Mar. 4:38.

Being subject to weariness. Jno. 4:6.

Being a man of sorrows. Isa. 53:3, 4. Luke 22:44. Jno. 11:33. Jno. 12:27.

Being buffeted. Mat. 26:67. Luke 22:64.

Enduring indignities. Luke 23:11.

Being scourged. Mat. 27:26. Jno. 19:1.

Being nailed to the cross. Psa. 22:16, with Luke 23:33.

Death. Jno. 19:30.

Side being pierced. Jno. 19:34.

Burial. Mat. 27:59, 60. Mar. 15:46.

Resurrection. Acts 3:15. 2 Tim. 2:8.

Was like our own in all things except sin. Acts 3:22. Phi. 2:7, 8. Heb. 2:17.

Was without sin. Heb. 7:26, 28. 1 Jno. 3:5. 1 Pet. 2:22. Heb. 4:15. Jno. 18:38. Jno. 8:46.

Was submitted to the evidence of the senses. Luke 24:39. Jno. 20:27. 1 Jno. 1:1, 2.

WAS OF THE SEED OF

The woman. Gen. 3:15. Isa. 7:4. Jer. 31:22. Luke 1:31. Gal. 4:4.

Abraham. Gen. 22:18, with Gal. 3:16. Heb. 2:16.

David. 2 Sam. 7:12, 16. Psa. 89:35, 36. Jer. 23:5. Mat. 22:42. Mar. 10:47. Acts 2:30. Acts 13:23. Rom. 1:3.

Genealogy of. Mat. 1:1, &c. Luke 3:23, &c.

Attested by Himself. Mat. 8:20. Mat. 16:13.

Confession of, a test of belonging to God. Jno. 4:2.

Acknowledged by men. Mar. 6:3. Jno. 7:27. Jno. 19:5. Acts 2:22.

Denied by Antichrist. 1 Jno. 4:3. 2 Jno. 7.

A Glorious Child

John 1:1–5 NKJV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 1:14 NKJV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

This is counter-intuitive. We are tempted to think that Jesus coming in His glory would be most glorious. But God knew that Jesus coming without His glory was the most glorious.

Regarding “glory”

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Dignity, Dignities

doxa (δόξα, 1391) primarily denotes “an opinion, estimation, repute”; in the NT, always “good opinion, praise, honor, glory, an appearance commanding respect, magnificence, excellence, manifestation of glory”

John is saying that our opinion, estimation, and view of Jesus is better because He came without apparent glory. Literally, He was more glorious because He was less glorious. How? Because we could see Him and relate to Him. God is simply to other to be seen or readily related to.

A Helpful Child

There is one glory more glorious that us being able to see Him and relate to Him.

Hebrews 2:17–18 NKJV

17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

And that is Him seeing us and being able to relate to us. We know He understands us and that means He can truly sympathize with us.

Conclusion

300 Quotations and Prayers for Christmas How Could Jesus Be Nearer to You?

Behold whom all the world cannot contain; He lies as a poor child in a manger. And who bears all things by the word of His power; He is borne by His mother. Whom the cherubim praise and the seraphim; He is nourished with a little milk. What herein is not wonderful; what not lovable? What more will you have? How could He be nearer and more like to you?

THOMAS À KEMPIS (CA. 1380–1471)*

Application

As we pursue Christmas, however that may look for each of us, let us pause to ponder that baby in a manger who was just like us. There is glory there that should draw us near to Him.