There is a beautiful quote by a little known word-smith named Eva K. Logue that states,
A Christmas candle is a lovely thing;
It makes no noise at all,
But softly gives itself away;
While quite unselfish, it grows small.
This quote has a fascinating connection to the action taken by our Savior Jesus some 2,000 years ago. As the Lord came down from Heaven in all of His splendor, He humbled Himself and gave himself away while simultaneously obedient unto the Father.
A baby born to a man crucified. When we tell the full story we realize that regardless of the life phase, Christ was and is highly exalted (Matthew 3:17; Philippians 2:9). Philippians 2:5-11 defends this when Paul teaches,
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Nonetheless, if we liken Christ to this illustrative candle above, I can reason that Christ did not stay noiseless and unnoticed (Isaiah 53:2). Christ’s humble act made a big impact and provided us with the Good News that institutes Jesus as our mediator (1 Timothy 2:5).
From birth, we see His humility. Come the Rapture, where the Church meets Him in the sky we will see humility as well. Humility being an absence of arrogance.
This is not to say we will not see Him in all might because it is impossible for Christ to be arrogant when despite a timeline, He is worthy of all glory.
God’s nature does not change, how He deals with humanity may (Hebrews 13:8).
The small babe, Jesus, is the same Jesus who holds the keys of Hell and death, and who reigns eternally!
Let us hold our Christmas candle high. Jesus we hold high, the light of the World who now abides and lights our way (John 8:12; Ephesians 5:8).
Lovely words!