Epiphany Day 5 What Child is This
In this song questions of wonder are spoken regarding this specific Child. Has any other child born received such honors? What makes this Child different? It also speaks of His future work.
I wanted to see the full lyrics of this song so, of course, I Googled it. I found more in the original than is sung today. The portion which speaks of His reason for coming has been omitted. I searched YouTube for a full version but found none. If you know of one I would LOVE to see it. Send me a link in a comment. Here is a link to the original lyrics.
It is hard knowing Jesus birth was just the first step to His role in God’s plan. Jesus wasn’t like any other baby born into this world. From before His conception He had a special path to walk. He knew His ending on earth before His beginning on earth took place. No other person who ever walked this earth can say that.
Jesus wasn’t just the Babe who the shepherds came to worship, the angels sang about, or the wise men traveled for years to meet. He was the Savior of mankind. This Baby who lay sleeping soundly in His mother’s arms was more than special. He was the King of kings. He was Salvation personified. And He was a Babe in every sense of the word.
He smiled. He cried. He gurgled. He ate. He slept. He soiled His diaper. He did everything normal babies do. He was totally vulnerable and dependent on His parents. And He was protected by all of Heaven itself. God looked after His Son. He was not abandoned on earth to fend for Himself. He grew up in a handpicked family. One that would see to His care and encourage His growth in every way.
He was a MAGNIFICENT baby! Who had ALL Heaven shouting for glory. Not because of His beauty but because of His purpose!
Mary gets a lot of credit in this song, especially from some artists. They stress the fact of her as His mother. I think she would turn our hearts instead to His Father. The Creator of the universe is Father of this infant. And He shows Him off like any proud father would. SING you angels! RUN to Him you shepherds! BOW DOWN you seekers of wisdom! This Child is DIVINE!
Father God, THANK YOU for loving me enough to send Jesus. I would have NO hope without Him. I wonder if those who came to see Him in His early years had ANY idea the true importance of His birth. What were they expecting when they came to see ‘this child’? When the wise men arrived, were they surprised at His humble surroundings? When the shepherds visited the stable, did they question why any baby would be born is such a place? Did the news from the angels leave them with questions? After seeing Jesus they went to spread the news so maybe all their questions were answered. Did His presence radiate peace to those around Him, even as an infant? I can bet that His mother would have welcomed it if He did!
Lord Jesus, thank You for the peace You have given me in my life. I would know NO peace without You. I’m more than grateful for the gifts You have given me in my children. They have brought joy to my life, along with other things.
I cannot imagine being Your mother. Being honored by God with such a task. I have NO DOUBT Mary stumbled in this task at times but Your Father never let permanent harm come to You. I’m sure You skinned Your knee at least once. I know You caused Your parents concern on at least one occasion. I KNOW I wouldn’t have felt confident in my abilities to raise the Son of God. Did You provide this for Your parents or did they have to ‘muddle through’ like the rest of us parents? But YOU knew You always had Your Heavenly Father watching out for You too. I wonder if this was a ‘load off’ Mary’s mind or a constant wonder if she was ‘enough’.
However it worked out in the day to day reality, THANK YOU for CHOOSING to do it! Let me NEVER forget that fully informed decision You made. I Love You Jesus!
