This post first published Christmas Eve 2018. As I read through it, I thought, goodness, this is a post I could read and apply every single day, remember, I write these lessons first for me and then for thee. It is a question I need to ask myself every single day – So, Beth, What Are You Going To Do About This Baby? It is a good reminder to me that because Jesus has come, I now must be-come. May the Everlasting Joy of Christmas be yours today and everyday…
You do know we’re having a baby tomorrow, right? Had you heard that? Are we ready for it? Not Christmas silly, the baby. There’s lots of preparations that take place before a baby comes, right? Babies change our lives, completely upside down, right? Not only a newborn coming into the world, but in a way when the baby arrives, we too are born, reborn. Old habits, old routines, chucked right out the window. Right?
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 2:6-7
So, what are we going to do about this baby? Anything? Remember the story of Lazarus, Jesus’ friend? Lazarus died. Jesus raised him from the dead.
Many of the people were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together to discuss the situation. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other.
John 11:45-47
See there, the Pharisees and the leading priests were asking the same thing. What are we going to do about this baby?
You know, a baby changes everything. Babies, this Baby, changed the course of the world. Will this Baby change us? What will happen if we don’t allow ourselves to be changed, to experience new birth, to be reborn?
So, what are we going to do about this Baby? You know, the one swaddled at birth and placed in a manger. The one swaddled at death and placed in a tomb.
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and He was God. He was in the beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn’t make. Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. This light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:1
The light that gives light to all mankind left behind the clothes in the manger and the clothes in the tomb. He was born! He did die! He is risen! Indeed.
So, what are we going to do about this baby?
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the sky look down where He lay. The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the poor Baby awakes. But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky. And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay. Close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care. And take us to heaven, to live with thee there.