We’ve been reading through the Jesus Storybook
Bible with our kids (which I would suggest even for people with no children!).
We are still in the Old Testament and each story has some mention of our need
for a savior, our inability to rescue ourselves, or the prince to come. I love
it. It gives me such a deep appreciation for the intense waiting period that
creation endured. Reading bible stories in that context gives me a feeling of
connection to that waiting period. Of course, I’m not super super old (note
that I’m not even about to put a number on that…this isn’t that kind of blog
people, take your debates elsewhere) and I wasn’t there literally waiting for
Jesus. But I am a part of the carefully crafted creation that has a deeply
sincere need and longing for redemption. My debt of sin piling up and
swallowing me whole, just like everyone before and after me. Even before I was
aware of it, I carried my yearning for reconciliation and peace with God like
an anchor tied to my soul. And because of mercy and grace, my souls breathes
and my heart beats new life.
The
birth of Jesus is about the arrival of the Good King. The true, noble, faithful,
ruler who walked among us has come! It’s when all of creation sighed in relief
and then filled its lungs to sing the highest praises. For generations, the
faithful waited. The birth of Jesus is where anticipation meets fulfillment.
So let’s rejoice.
He came, He came! He came just like He promised.
Our waiting is over. All this struggle and all this yearning, now breathes
relief. We have a Savior! We know His name. And we are
His people! He adopts us into his family as children. We are welcomed into the
blessed family of Christ to join His kingdom forever. We have a beautiful
inheritance. And this day that we celebrate each year; it marks the beginning;
the beginning of hope, the beginning of GRACE.
