the womb before the cross

There were more than expected that came to the Christmas Eve service tonight. We lit the room with 40 small candles and a tall lamp standing beside me that cast a jaded glow. We could not have filled a stadium or even a typical church, but the night was true and fellowship was intimate. It is this night--of all nights--to remember that the greatest of things and the truest reality does not always draw a large crowd. Sometimes it is just a few shepherds. Everything about the night is humbling. God cannot control his physical body--no baby can. He must be warmed by rough clothes and nourished by creatures milk. "He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him." (John 1:10-11) "Veiled in flesh the godhead see!" It was too humbling a reality for most to believe and it remains that way. Sure we can imagine a lot of nice characteristics to God, but who dares to fully take in all of Him? It is easy to talk of love and its full expression in the Father, just as it is a conversation over tea to talk of the justice of God...or kingliness...or servanthood...or unexpected...or unchanging...or merciful...or full of wrath...or jealous...or long-suffering...or patience...or holiness, etc. But who dare expose his heart to all the wonder? I remember reading of one saint that had such a revelation of God that he cried out, "Lord! Stop!" fearing that his heart could not take any more. And so we do not understand Jesus. How could it be? A God-Man born of a virgin? God sacrificing Himself to Himself? We have abused our brains and gone mad thinking of other ways to be saved. There is just this one way. Never was or were or will there be another. God has worked in this one way and always planned to, and it is by this expression we know Him. All His perfect qualities are completely seen together at the cross. It is the summation of all God's self-revealing expression to man--the final earthly work of the "Final Word." We would do ourselves much eternal good to focus our lives, the deepest meditations of our hearts, and our times of pleasure to pursue what God focuses all the energies of scriptures towards--Jesus. Begin again by taking in his birth. The shame of a scandalous pregnancy...the field showered by angels songs...the need to be helped, clothed and cared for by a mother and father...to learn to tie shoes...to learn to walk by the Spirit and talk with the Father...the years needed to grow in grace and favor in the eyes of God and man...the resolution to follow at all cost. We always talk of the laborious movement to the cross, consider the approach to the womb! "Because God so love the world He...."

Merry Christmas!