The Conquering Infant

Have you noticed this new trend in movies, television, and even conversation with unbelievers that when they want to superficially give thanks, they will exclaim, “Thank sweet baby Jesus!” Why has this phrase caught on, especially with those who don’t claim to be nor desire to be Christians?

Christmas is here, and it’s a time where every place has some reference to the nativity. Displays of Mary, Joseph, and of course the baby Jesus fill tons of front lawns in your neighborhood and people who would never set foot in a church to sing God’s praises find themselves humming, whistling, and singing great traditional hymns like Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Joy to the World, Silent Night, and Away in a Manger.

The question is - why does it appear as though, to many, baby Jesus is more attractive than adult Jesus? Here’s what I think - the baby Jesus hasn’t spoken, the baby Jesus is small and fits in your hands, the baby Jesus doesn’t appear to be dangerous and confront you with a moral demand. That’s why I believe the world’s favorite Jesus is the baby Jesus. But this is unwise because Jesus, even as an infant, is a threatening sign to the enemies of God. One prophesy concerning Christ’s birth states,

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel” (Micah 5:2).

Jesus was born in Bethlehem just as the prophecy foretold but why is that bad news for the enemies of God? To answer, we must go to another prophesy found in Psalm 110:2, “The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies!” How will He deal with His enemies? Verse 5 and 6 inform us, “He will shatter kings on the day of His wrath. He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses.”

This baby is a conquering King and His birth is a terrifying sign of the fate of the enemies of God. The Bible says that we are all born in sin and hostile to God (Colossians 1:21), so the birth of Christ is troubling news at first glance. But the birth of Christ is also a sign of love and hope to the enemies of God who will humble themselves in repentance and faith in Christ alone. Though we were Christ’s enemies, He lived a perfect life and died on the cross, settling our record of debt and saving us from the wrath to come (Rom.5:8-9). When you think of baby Jesus, remember that those small hands would one day grow and be pierced with nails, those shoulders would carry the sins of His people, that body would be crushed by God the Father’s wrath. But also remember that same body rose again from the grave, is now on the throne reigning as Lord, and He will return. Repent and believe and you will receive the gift of eternal life.

Work Cited

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016)