My chubby little elf

Isn't Chloe the epitome of cute elfness? Forgive me if elfness isn't a word. Even though it's only December 13th, I am already very much enjoying Christmas with a baby. Of course I know she doesn't have much clue as to what's going on. It's still a tremendous delight to wrap her gifts, dress her in Christmas outfits, hold snowflakes to her mouth, and sing carols to her.















Having a baby during the holidays also serves as a poignant reminder of Jesus' birth. I now have a live visual picture of Christ's nativity. To think that Jesus came to earth in this humble, needy, and innocent form is astounding. The King of the universe degraded Himself to become man and to become much less than man, a baby. A baby is the ultimate picture of dependence and neediness. How truly Philippians 2 rings in light of Christ's infancy:

"Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself and became obedient unto death -
even the death of the cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and
gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:6-11

Christ's birth and descent to humanity also reminds me of this beautiful second verse of Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus:

"Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King.
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne."

Christmas blessings to you and yours. May the love of the baby Jesus be yours this season.