Luke 2.1-7: NOW it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. (2) This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. (3) And all were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his own city. (4) And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, (5) in order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. (6) And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. (7) And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (NASB)
PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11: Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, (6) who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (8) And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (9) Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, (10) so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (11) and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (ESV)
As the opening verses of the Gospel according to St. John tell us, Jesus is God, and He always has been, and the universe was created through Him. Likewise, the verses set forth above from the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians teach us that Jesus was and is God in all His glory. And this being the case, there has never been a time in all eternity when Jesus was without His glory as the true light who came into the world.
And yet Jesus emptied Himself by humbly being born of Mary and placed in a manger. Therefore, being fully God, fully human, and fully subject to all of the difficulties of life. And as His name reveals, fully the One who brings salvation to sinners. Salvation that is offered to all who will put their faith and trust in Jesus.