"I think a baby is a sign of love," says Casey, age 9. "God sent our Savior as a baby because when babies are born, everybody thinks they are special," says Buck, age unknown.

Yes, babies are special signs of love, but there's more to the story, says Richard, 9: "God sent our Savior as a baby because kings would want to kill him. If he was big, he would be easily tracked."

Richard is on the right track because an angel warned Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt. Herod, the Jewish king, wasn't exactly thrilled when wise men from the East showed up asking, "Where is he who has been born King of the Jews?"

"God sent our Savior as a baby because he wanted to show us that God is our Mighty God and that even a baby could lead us to the right path," says Karly, 11.

"The mystery of godliness" is a biblical phrase used to describe the ultimate paradox. Who can comprehend the depth of the descent Jesus experienced when he left the glories of heaven, where angels continually praise God, to enter a fallen world.

Jesus grieved over people who rejected him and his mission to save the world from being separated from his Father. His own disciples, like others, thought the Son of God would come in great power and majesty to set up an earthly kingdom. And, of course, they weren't above jockeying for position in his kingdom.

God's way is different, says Stewart, 12: "If Jesus didn't come as a baby, people would be convinced immediately that he was the Son of God."

During his ministry, Jesus spoke of those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. God's ways are often hidden. The Bible pulls back the curtain on another realm where an angel announced the birth of the Savior to shepherds watching over their flocks by night.

The greatest drama in all history unfolded that night in Bethlehem, yet VIPs were conspicuously absent. The Roman emperor probably had never heard of Bethlehem. Even for the majority of residents in this small, obscure town, it was a routine night.

Spiritual reality is like that. Usually, it doesn't come with flashing neon lights. It's subtle, small and seemingly insignificant. It takes spiritual eyes to see it.

"I think God came as a baby because He wanted us to know that He is humble and a servant," says Will, 11.

Will's comments remind me of the Apostle Paul's summary of Jesus' incarnation: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:6-8).

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.

Think about this: Almighty God sent his Son to this Earth as a baby born into humble circumstances. Memorize this truth: "And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:8). Ask this question: If God's Son humbled himself for us, shouldn't we be more concerned about his reputation than our own?

Merry Christmas!

Listen to a talking book, download the "Kids Color Me Bible" for free, watch Kid TV Interviews and travel around the world by viewing the "Mission Explorers Streaming Video" at www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org. Bible quotations are from the New King James Version. To find out more about Carey Kinsolving and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.