Imagine what #ThrowbackThursday would have been like for Jesus …

It seems a hefty portion of the world is on social media these days, and a fun part of being online is learning about people.

A fun way of doing that is checking out the photos some dare to share as part of “#ThrowbackThursday,” a time for posting old photos from yesteryear that reveals a snapshot of your life at a much younger stage.

For example, for #ThrowbackThursday I’ve shared this photo of me in kindergarten …

… and this photo of me as a Cub Scout …

I’ve shared all kinds of photos for #ThrowbackThursday, from those shown above to my high school senior photo, me horseback riding with a friend and my time living in Hawaii, to vacation photos and an assortment of various experiences.

From the different pictures people share, you see the passing of time captured in funny hair styles, funky fashions, old furnishings, and other things from days past. It can be as entertaining as it is insightful to view some of the pictures people share for #ThrowbackThursday!

But have you ever thought what a #ThrowbackThursday would have been like for Jesus if they had such a thing when He was living as a man in this world? They didn’t have cameras in those days, but we do have some descriptions of Jesus that could be used for His “throwback” images, such as:

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone,” John‬ ‭1:1, 3-4‬.

“So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son,” John‬ ‭1:14‬.

“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,”‭‭ Colossians‬ ‭1:15‬.

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf,” Micah‬ ‭5:2‬.

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,” Isaiah‬ ‭9:6‬.

“He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else,” John‬ ‭3:31‬.

These are just some of the descriptive “snapshots” that could be used for #ThrowbackThursday for Jesus. Looking at how marvelous those snapshots are, it makes the idea of Christmas all the more incredible. The very idea that God would wrap Himself in flesh to enter the world He created as a human baby and have to experience all that a human experiences in growing to adulthood — plus ever so much more — is mind-blowing.

That is the wonder of Christmas.

“Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross,” Philippians‬ ‭2:6-8.

May the wonder of Christmas bring you much joy and peace.

Scotty