Love Came Down...
Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at 2:49PM 
Greetings, Dear Friends!
And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. Each month I give away a $10.00 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So share a story or an insight, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and friend!
This month, in light of our Savior's birth, we've spent the past few weeks exploring different ideas around giving and receiving gifts in light of eternity.
Now on to my topic...
In just a few days, we'll celebrate the greatest event this world has ever known: the day when Love came to earth.
Try to get your mind around such a sacrifice. Jesus left a perfect place for us. He entered an unstable, unsafe atmosphere, for us. He gave Himself over to sinful men, for us. He came to die, for us. As Sara Groves so eloquently said at her Christmas concert the other night, "Jesus came to earth and entered into our suffering because of WE were the joy set before Him."
He came to us. He didn't leave us in our sin or abandon us in our need. He came to meet us in the midst of it all. He made a way for our rescue where there was no other way.
Even so, Jesus knew that His in-the-flesh appearance on earth wouldn't be enough to convince everyone of His purpose, His power, His provision, and most of all His love. He lived and died amidst the rejection and misunderstanding of many. And He knew it would be that way.
And so it goes today. This afternoon, while running a few last minute errands, I came face to face with the painful reminder of the state of things in our day. After paying for my items, I gathered up my bag, hoisted my purse onto my shoulder and wished the cashier a Merry Christmas. Without thinking about it, she replied, "Merry Christmas to you too." Which was great, but what she said next totally surprised me. She leaned in and whispered, "Oops. I'm not supposed to say that."
"Say what?" I asked.
"Merry Christmas," she said, "I got in trouble the last time I said that to a customer."
My goodness. Lord, have mercy on us!
I couldn't help myself. I smiled and said to her, "Well, as far as I know, we still live in a free country, so I am happy to wish you a Merry Christmas. Bless you." She smiled and whispered to me, "You too."
Emmanuel. God with us. Jesus came to earth to show us love, forgive our sin, set us free, and make us new. And yet we live in a day that materializes the idea of the holiday while completely extracting from it the depth and meaning of it all. Jesus saw this coming, and yet, He came to us anyway.
If people refuse to acknowledge God's love, does it make His love not so? No. He loved us first.
This is real love. It's not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins (1 John 4:10).
If we go through times of desperation and discouragement, does it diminish His presence and power in our lives? No. He's always with us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away (Romans 8:38).
If it's difficult for you to comprehend your value, does it make you less valuable? No. His love defines you and makes you whole.
May you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. THEN you will be filled with the fullness of LIFE and POWER that comes from God (Ephesians 3:18-19)
All too often we rate our holiday based on the number of presents under the tree and the number of things that are going are way. But that's an earthbound perspective.
Every Christmas deserves our embrace and our most joyous celebration. Every Christmas matters because God is with us! Jesus came to us! Love came down and kissed our lives and now we get to live super-naturally. We have heavenly assistance, divine presence, and powerful promises available to us. God IS with us!
Jesus left Heaven and came to earth so that one day, we will leave earth and meet Him in heaven. He is with us and one day, we will be with Him. Face to face.
Wonderful, wonderful Christmas. We celebrate our Savior's birth!
God bless you all~
Reader Comments (2)
Though I don't think we've ever met face to face, I can just picture you in a dark little room, rocking your child and reading words that minister to your soul. I'm so thankful and honored you found encouragement here. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and share your heart. May His Kingdom come to your whole family! Blessings to you!