I became a dad exactly five weeks ago, pretty much to the minute, from when I posted this blog today.

My son, Max, was born into the world kicking, screaming and completely helpless. Since then, my wife and I have been trying to figure out how to look after this little man, getting to know him, his needs, moods and emerging character. We love him to bits.

It’s made me think about life, a lot. Suddenly, I feel connected to the broad span of human history in a new way. A lot of time is wrapped up with learning to change nappies, super-fast, before Max wees all over the place; his latest trick. But sometimes, I’ve found special little moments to get all philosophical.

On Sunday morning I was sitting in bed enjoying some quality time with Max. He was changed, fed and in a happy mood, looking quite content with himself. So was I, coffee was brewing, not much on the agenda for the day. I looked at his cute little face, butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. It wouldn’t have had a chance, before I knew it, he projectile vomited all over me. I wasn’t wearing a shirt, the sick was warm. I think it’s genuinely the first time I’ve ever experienced warm sick directly applied to my skin, from myself or anyone else.

I’ve got no idea why, but the first thought that popped into my head was “Jesus was a baby”. It suddenly struck me in a new way. Jesus, the Son of God, arrived in the world kicking, screaming and completely helpless. I wonder whether Joseph ever sat in bed and experienced the warm glow of Jesus’ baby vomit all over him on a Sabbath morning. What a humbling experience, for Jesus and for Joseph.

“Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.”
Philippians 2:5-8 (MSG)

Thank-you Jesus, for being up for it; for being prepared to come down to this strange little world as a helpless, human being and being up for rescuing us and showing us a better way.