I have a little calendar sitting on my desk at work. Looking ahead to the scripture for December 25, I was struck by the words: “Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!” 2 Cor. 9:15. Unspeakable: An inability to define, describe, find the words for....beyond the capability of human language to capture. How can one find language to give full expression to the reality of an all knowing, all powerful God, who chose to leave the flawless Light of heaven in order to come and live among us in this darkened world? And He did this just so He could remain in continuous relationship with each of us for the rest of eternity.
Last weekend, while listening to the familiar reading of the Christmas Story, I found myself entering into that time 2,000 years ago as I never had before. Perhaps because I had been contemplating how “unspeakable”, how beyond my ability to comprehend the full meaning of Jesus come to earth. I seemed to be both here and there at the same time.
The nativity creche scene came to life. Mary sitting and Joseph standing with newborn baby Jesus lying before them. The shepherds came, amazed and uncertain how to best communicate their worship and allegiance. Their faces still radiant from the sight of many angels filling the night sky with the brilliance of God’s Glory, heralding the coming of their long looked-for King. The wise men then approach, their eyes on the star illuminating the stable almost as bright as day. Joy overwhelming them at finding the object of their long search. They came bowing low in humble awareness of the honor bestowed upon them; that they should live to see this day when God became a child living among man.
But most of all, I was aware of Mary. Her eyes fixed on this baby, this tiny One who had so radically caused her life to derail off the predictable norm and onto a path never traveled before. As she looked upon her baby it was beginning to dawn on her that, “Let it be unto me” meant far more than a mysterious pregnancy. Aware that the birth was not the end of her surrender; that the usual hopes and expectations a mother might have for her son would not be hers. She had said yes to something much bigger than herself, and could not take that back. Yet somehow, in her honest humility, she had no regrets. This was the Gift Who would usher in a new Kingdom through which God would set up residence on earth as never seen before. She had known from the beginning He was only hers to hold very lightly. and that her Son would be shared with all of mankind for all time.
This One who knows all things, has all power, created all things through the utterance of His Word, willing to be contained within human parameters during His time on earth. Born utterly dependent on frail human beings. Raised by loving but not fully comprehending parents. Born to hear the same sounds, see the same sights, work through the same relational issues and bear the same physical and emotional limitations as you and me. Heb 2:17 reminds us that it was “...essential that He be made like His brethren in every respect, in order that He might become a merciful High Priest...” Apparently there was no other way for Love to bridge the gulf between heaven and earth.
What amazing love has been poured out upon us! That Love that invites us into something much bigger, much more powerful, much more transformational than our own individual lives. We thank you, Lord, for being willing to come to us, dwell among us, live and breathe among us; the Unspeakable gift...that You chose to be as us, so that now we get to be as You in the world!
Last weekend, while listening to the familiar reading of the Christmas Story, I found myself entering into that time 2,000 years ago as I never had before. Perhaps because I had been contemplating how “unspeakable”, how beyond my ability to comprehend the full meaning of Jesus come to earth. I seemed to be both here and there at the same time.
The nativity creche scene came to life. Mary sitting and Joseph standing with newborn baby Jesus lying before them. The shepherds came, amazed and uncertain how to best communicate their worship and allegiance. Their faces still radiant from the sight of many angels filling the night sky with the brilliance of God’s Glory, heralding the coming of their long looked-for King. The wise men then approach, their eyes on the star illuminating the stable almost as bright as day. Joy overwhelming them at finding the object of their long search. They came bowing low in humble awareness of the honor bestowed upon them; that they should live to see this day when God became a child living among man.
But most of all, I was aware of Mary. Her eyes fixed on this baby, this tiny One who had so radically caused her life to derail off the predictable norm and onto a path never traveled before. As she looked upon her baby it was beginning to dawn on her that, “Let it be unto me” meant far more than a mysterious pregnancy. Aware that the birth was not the end of her surrender; that the usual hopes and expectations a mother might have for her son would not be hers. She had said yes to something much bigger than herself, and could not take that back. Yet somehow, in her honest humility, she had no regrets. This was the Gift Who would usher in a new Kingdom through which God would set up residence on earth as never seen before. She had known from the beginning He was only hers to hold very lightly. and that her Son would be shared with all of mankind for all time.
This One who knows all things, has all power, created all things through the utterance of His Word, willing to be contained within human parameters during His time on earth. Born utterly dependent on frail human beings. Raised by loving but not fully comprehending parents. Born to hear the same sounds, see the same sights, work through the same relational issues and bear the same physical and emotional limitations as you and me. Heb 2:17 reminds us that it was “...essential that He be made like His brethren in every respect, in order that He might become a merciful High Priest...” Apparently there was no other way for Love to bridge the gulf between heaven and earth.
What amazing love has been poured out upon us! That Love that invites us into something much bigger, much more powerful, much more transformational than our own individual lives. We thank you, Lord, for being willing to come to us, dwell among us, live and breathe among us; the Unspeakable gift...that You chose to be as us, so that now we get to be as You in the world!
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