The Infinite has become an infant!
(Charles Spurgeon, "Christ's Incarnation, the Foundation of Christianity")
"Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:8
How surprised the angels must have been when they were first informed that Jesus Christ, the Prince of Life, intended to shroud Himself in clay, and become a human babe, and live and die upon the earth! We don't know how the information was first communicated to the angels; but when the rumor began to circulate among the shining hosts-we may imagine what strange astonishment there was in their lofty minds!
What! was it true that He whose crown was all bejeweled with stars, would lay that crown aside? What! was it certain that He, about whose shoulders was cast the purple robe of universal sovereignty-would become a man, dressed in a peasant's garment? Could it be true that He who was eternal and immortal, would one day be nailed to a cruel cross!
How their wonderment must have increased as the details of the Savior's earthly life and death were made known to them. Well might they desire to "look into" these things, which were so surprising and mysterious to them.
And when He descended from on high they looked upon Him in rapturous amazement-wondering how it could be that He "who was rich-for our sakes became poor."
Do you see Him as, on that day of Heaven's eclipse, He did, as it were, ungird Himself of His majesty? Can you conceive the increasing wonder of the heavenly hosts when the great deed was actually done-when they saw His priceless tiara taken off, when they watched Him unbind His belt of stars, and cast away His sandals of gold?
Can you conceive what must have been the astonishment of the angels when He said to them, "I do not disdain the womb of the virgin; I am going down to earth to become a man!"
O angels, be lost in astonishment, as you see that the Infinite has become an infant!
He, upon whose shoulders the universe hangs-hangs at His mother's bosom!
He, who created all things by the word of His power, and who bears up the pillars of all creation-has now become so weak that He must be carried in the arms of a woman!
Wonder, you angels who knew Him in His riches-while you behold Him in His poverty!
Is He not just the Savior that we need? God and yet man in one adorable person!
He is able to sympathize because He is man-and He is able to save because He is God!