When the King Became a Servant

[Jennifer Kennedy Dean]

On that night in a stable in Bethlehem, from earth’s view, a baby was born. From heaven’s view, You, God the Son, voluntarily left Your rightful place on the universe’s throne, left the riches and the unimaginable glory that were Your own possessions, left the sound of praise and worship that surrounded You day and night—left it all to be with us.
What must that moment have been like? When heaven’s great Treasure shed His kingly grandeur and donned mere clay, did the angels for a moment hold their breath and look on in astonishment? When He who was from the beginning took upon Himself the form of a servant, did the eternal realm halt—just for a heartbeat—and stand speechless with wonder? When the King of kings exchanged His majestic robes for swaddling clothes, surely it was the most beautiful, awe-inspiring moment in all eternity.
On earth, it was a little-noticed event. A young peasant couple and a few poor shepherds were the only witnesses to an ordinary birth in an ordinary place at an ordinary time. No pomp or ceremony. No grand announcement to a waiting crowd. No dancing in the streets.
In the heavens, that which looked ordinary from the earth was the spark for unparalleled celebration (Hebrews 1:6). It was something never before seen and never to be seen again—when the King became a servant.

From Pursuing the Christ by Jennifer Kennedy Dean