By Pastor David Holland
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn. Luke 2:6, NIV
I saw him, the object of the Father’s affections, in a vision. I recognized him as the captain of angel armies, the glory of Heaven. He is the Light of very Light, God of very God, clothed with power, might and dominion. Innumerable legions of angelic creatures sang his praises and marched at his command. Suddenly, without warning, the Son stood from his throne and strode toward the exit gates of Heaven.
The Son descended from his throne, flinging off his mantle of omnipotence as multitudes of angels gasped. Then he marched toward the gates discharging his infinite knowledge.
Finally, as he opened the gates to leave, he poured out his omnipresence. Jesus abandoned heaven’s glory to be born a vulnerable babe, trading his divine prerogatives for diapers. For the first time in eternity, Heaven was empty of the presence of the Son of God.
“Whoosh! What was that?” the angels cried as the Breath of Heaven blew out the door. He left Heaven and poured himself into a tiny human body far away on the dark planet. Did the music suddenly stop? Were the heavenly hosts perplexed when the object of their eternal affection was absent? When the Singer of the eternal Song departed, did heaven go silent?
Heaven rejoiced in the radiance of God’s glory for eon upon eon. The love dance transpiring between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit twirled in rhythm from time immortal. The friction from their constant expression of love toward one another created such a warm glow the universe basked in its light. But then, the Son departed.
How did God feel the day Jesus left Heaven to pour himself into a human body? Visualize the moment the Trinity’s love party stopped. Did God grow lonely for his Son? Did he mourn his loss? Did the Father long for the fellowship they once had? Did God suffer the empty nest syndrome?
Yes, God knew the end of the story. He knew his Son would return in victory. But that does not change the loss he must have felt. God the Father sacrificed the immediate presence of Christ to send his Son to earth. Love presents itself in sacrifice and no one’s sacrifice was greater than the Father God’s.
Jesus intentionally left heaven to become human. Paul describes the heavy price Jesus paid to become one of us:
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 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 2:5-7.
What did Jesus willingly give up becoming that child in the manger? Christ emptied himself of his divine privileges of all-power, all-knowing, and all-presence to become a vulnerable babe. Beyond that,he also emptied Himself of the heavenly fellowship and glory that he shared with the Father and the Spirit.
It is hard for us to fathom the price the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit paid to enable Christ to be born among us. They endured this pain to redeem us from every kindred, tongue, and tribe. God loves us so much that he allowed this great sacrifice to bring you and me into his family. Heaven lost the glory of the Son for a seaSon that we might receive the glory of the Son for eternity.
Dave Holland pastored churches for thirty-eight years before retiring in Destin, Florida. Hisbook, “Christmas Jesus” is now available at Amazon.com for $7.99. You can get a copy of his books from his Website, DaveHolland.org, or at Amazon.com. Pastor Dave is available to preach and teach at churches and conferences. Contact him at DavidvHolland54@gmail.com.
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