A Baby Worthy of Worship

“At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” -Luke 1:41

A few days ago, I saw a post that said, “the first person to worship Jesus was a fetus.” I pondered that thought from many perspectives, first, how precious a fetal life is, second, how it is underappreciated, then third, of "wow that’s wild that the first person to worship Jesus was just as lowly and humble as the way God in the flesh chose to come to Earth", as a baby.

If we are not careful, we could easily dismiss this small verse because it is not commonly emphasized in the Christmas story we hear during this season. Sure, the wisemen and shepherds, innkeeper, angels, Mary and Joseph, and the star are all great. A fictional drummer boy, and a donkey more than likely all take precedent in the characters we think of in the Christmas story over John the Baptist or even Elizabeth. However, this is an important note to consider.

Jesus could’ve come however He wanted to. He could’ve parted the clouds and stepped down. He could’ve just appeared as a 30-year-old man. He could’ve been a government leader, king or victorious battle leader, but He chose a baby. In a stable. And He chose John the Baptist to prepare the way. He chose a fetus to be the confirmation as this is the very Savior you have been waiting on; let us worship Him.

We serve a God who is not only willing to humble himself to the point of complete dependence and relatability in the form of a small child but also chose to include another baby in this story. To be the first person to recognize Him as Lord to such a degree that the Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth’s body and baby John the Baptist leaped with joy.

So, I asked myself, what’s stopping you?

A fetus is entirely dependent on its mother for protection and nutrition and life while inside the womb, yet, he still found a way to worship the not even arrived King of the World.

I am grown. I am saved. I have the ability to be independent. I know the whole story. I have the completed canon of the Bible. What is keeping me from leaping with joy?

I didn’t have an excuse worthy of sharing. Do you?

I know this Christmas season has been overwhelming. I know the stress of it tends to overwhelm our thoughts and time. But we are 5 days out from a celebration that should make us leap for joy- at the very least.

We know Jesus didn’t stay a fetus in a womb. He didn’t stay a baby in a manger. He didn’t stay a teenager, or a 30 something evangelist or on a cross or even in a tomb. He rose. He conquered. He lives. He forgives. He is the picture of love and joy.

If a babe can find a reason to be excited about that before those events occurred, I certainly can be knowing that they already did. There is no guessing. There is no embarrassment of being wrong. There is no “oops I did a victory dance too soon.”

Christian, leap for joy. He came for you.