(The following was written just after Joshua turned 1 year old.)

     Joshua crawls around the floor. He walks along the furniture. He climbs the stairs. He even takes a few steps between two objects. He smiles, giggles, laughs, cries, fusses, complains, pouts, squeals, and makes faces.

He doesn't care what anyone thinks of him. He isn't concerned with how he's dressed or what his hair looks like. He doesn't mind food all over his face or in his hair.

He can't speak, walk, write, type, drive, dress himself, or even put himself to bed. In fact, without Laurella and me to take care of him he wouldn't even survive. On top of all of this he doesn't even know that he's helpless. As long as he's fed, clothed, and gets enough sleep he's a happy little boy.

      Have you ever looked at a child and thought how nice it would be not to have a care in the world and be like a baby again? Honestly, as I think of all the limitations and basic things that have to be learned as a baby I don't have any desire to return to that stage.

     I began thinking of what it would be like to become a baby as I was contemplating the Christmas story. Jesus, our creator and savior, who has always been and always will be, became just what I've described, a helpless baby.

The Bible tells us in John 1:14 that "...the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

     Jesus didn't just become a person like you and me but he became a baby, like Joshua; completely helpless. The creator had to learn to eat, crawl, and keep his food down. Mary had to bathe him and keep his diapers clean. He had to learn to walk, talk, read, and everything else associated with living.

    Why? Why would the God of the universe subject himself to such humiliation? The answer is simple, yet hard to comprehend. He became nothing because he loves you! Do you know this Jesus who gave up everything for you?