Focus: More than a Baby

Text: Lk.2:16

"And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the BABE lying in a manger."

A baby is born in Bethlehem, looking in every point like all other babies, but much more.

Matthew reports, "Where is he that is BORN KING of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him" - Mt.2:2.

The babe in a manger is a king - "born king." He is more than a baby; He is king. King even at birth. Think about it. A king is never born. Only a prince might be born, but a king is coronated. But Jesus is born king. He is more than a baby; He is king. And right at birth, He has ready worshippers.

Luke records, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a SAVIOUR which is CHRIST the LORD" - Lk.2:11. Jesus is more than a baby, He is the Savior, the Messiah, and the Lord.

According to Rom.1:3, Jesus belongs to the royal line of David. He is David's Son according to the flesh, and as the seed of Abraham He is "the heir of the world" - Rom.4:13 (see also 2Tim.2:8).

Jesus is more than a baby; He is "God made manifest in the flesh." Prophet Isaiah testifies, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called WONDERFUL, COUNSELLOR, The MIGHTY GOD, The EVERLASTING FATHER, The PRINCE of Peace" - Isa.9:6.

Jesus is more than a baby; He is God in human body.

The baby in the manger is indeed God - the creator and owner of the universe.

The baby we celebrate at Christmas is truly more than a baby. He is King, Savior, Messiah, mighty God, Prince of peace, Wonderful, Counselor, and the Father of eternity. Even as a baby men came to worship Him - men who caught a revelation of who He truly is.

In this season of Christmas we must do more than celebrate; we should worship Him. It's no ordinary birthday; it's the birthday of our Lord in our very flesh. Amen.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter