Favor

Exhale, inhale, as the Son's breath of life passed into his creation's lips his fate was sealed, his appointment with death was secure. His infinite hands held our fragile lives, as well as his own. Why did he choose to sacrifice? He could have avoided such heart ache and agony, his own death, by not creating. What a mystery that he should still fashion Adam from the ground, taking detailed care with this most special of his creatures. Would you have followed through with such a plan, would I? Why did he do it? Perhaps it was for a joy we can only guess at, "for the joy set before him (he) endured the cross, scorning its shame." [Hebrews 12:2] What is that joy? I can only imagine, joy must be born in perfect love.

That wondrous, fearful, beautiful night love was born. Never had the prize been so close or pain so near. The prize is you and me. We are who the Son came in pursuit of, relentless, determined. The sacrifice of love, planned ages ago, was near completion. The silent, Bethlehem night was the beginning of his human trek, the first step of sacrifice. Angels sang glory, God's glory, it was finally with man. That night he graced our kind with such favor, the favor of becoming one of us, one with us. Love poured out.