Jesus Did This, Too
If you’d asked me in high school or college what my favorite thing about Jesus was, I probably would’ve said his faithfulness or his goodness. At 28 and as a new mom, my answer has certainly changed.
My husband Matthew and I are first-time parents, and we are pretty smitten with our six-month-old, Thomas. He’s been a little giggle box for a while now, but he’s starting to do tricks. Impressive stuff like blowing raspberries and mimicking mouth shapes. He’s a genius; I’m sure of it.
Thomas doesn’t have teeth yet, and he recently started making a face that really showcases the gums in all their glory. He stretches his top lip past his gums, squints his eyes, and makes a “huh” sound. We call it “old man face.” A picture of said face is Matthew’s wallpaper so he can laugh every time he looks at his phone.
We had a slow morning today, and Matthew went into work late. That’s a real treat of the off-season for his work. I love mornings spent together.
While we sipped our coffee on the couch, Thomas sat in his blue bouncer chair facing us. Thomas made old man face at us. We laughed at him; we haven’t gotten tired of it. I said to Matthew, “Can you believe Jesus did this stuff?” He responded, “It’s pretty crazy.”
As I spend each day with my baby, I see the full reliance he has on me and his dad. I see the vulnerability he lives in. I see a lot of things that I wouldn’t choose if I were God.
I think my new favorite thing about Jesus is his humility.
He chose raspberries and dirty diapers over crowns and glory because he knew the purpose of his life was more than glory. The purpose was in his name, Emmanuel, God with us. His glory would come in his death and his resurrection. His life would be centered on his humility.
Jesus did all the things I watch my son do. He fought sleep. He got overtired. He giggled and pulled Mary’s hair. I look at the Christmas story with new perspective now, and I don’t just see the innocence of little baby Jesus. I see God’s desire to truly be among His people. It’s the beginning of the greatest love story ever told: the one of God and humanity. It’s the story of a love so great that humility was a given, sacrifice was necessary, and “God with us” is reality.
