But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
-Luke 2.10-12
One silent night God exclaimed His love for the entire world,
because our all powerful God came to earth in the form of a helpless child.
Many had been waiting for His coming but very few noticed His arrival,
so much so that there was no room for him in the world that He Himself had created.
He who was divine became human.
He who has always existed with His heavenly Father traded His place on a lofty throne to be born of an earthly mother and be placed in a lowly manger.
He who reigned over streets of gold was born in a borrowed cave used as a stable.
He exchanged His robes of splendor for swaddling clothes
and He left the songs of the multitude of angels for the silent stares of a few humble shepherds.
And that night even though Jesus left His throne He became our King,
a King who came not to be served, but to serve.
A King who was born to die,
a King who’s death would bring us life,
a King who’s single solitary sacrifice would serve as a ransom for all.
Our God, Savior and King materialized to bless us with the gift of eternal life, yet on this day we celebrate His birth by blessing ourselves with material gifts.
So it’s this silent paradox of Christmas that beckons us to respond.
And even though there are presents still waiting for us to receive,
this season is truly about the gift we've already been given,
the gift of God himself.
Have a jolly, jolly paradox this year.
No comments:
Post a Comment