The Bible is filled with miracles. Stories of lives turned by truth unfolding in human hearts as steadily as its pages are unfurled.
But it is also a work of mystery.
A place where the nonsensical becomes the most rational.
Where the extraordinary becomes obvious and expected.
Where the simplest of ways births the most extravagant of wonders.
As baffling as it may appear, sometimes what we assume to be incorrect is just plain right. Even when it all seems so very wrong.
This is the Advent season — this paradox of both arrival and completion.
The concept of the Master of the universe bent on rescuing a world at odds with its Creator is mystifying. The humble nature of His birth is even more perplexing.
Divine life breaks through Earth’s atmosphere with the finality of a torturous and deadly cross already set in motion. Jesus was born to die so we might live. Quite a paradox, indeed.
From the stable to the cross, to the empty grave . . .
Each step was purposeful, blazing pathways of redemption through souls.
Each touch was weighted with the wonder of holy and free.
Each breath, from first newborn cry to last earthly gasp, declaring love unconditional for the enemies of the Divine.
Every word Jesus spoke was with intention.
Every action proclaimed an undying devotion — to His Father and His children.
Every moment, a continual reminder of Immanuel:
God with us, embracing the world with infinite love through puzzling means.
When Jesus came to Earth, otherworldly wisdom overrode all human logic.
An unwed teenager is chosen as the perfect earthly mother for a heavenly Lord.
A lowly stable providing shelter for the King of kings as the Infinite God becomes an infant.
A wild and all-encompassing Holy Spirit embraces the embodiment of human babe so we can embrace Him.
A humble Nazarene carpenter transforms the lives of lepers and blind beggars and common laborers and hated tax collectors and prostitutes.
A Messiah brings light and love to a world set on resisting the very One it has longed to welcome.
A Friend of sinners is betrayed by a comrade to fulfill the holiest of Covenants.
The wonder of such paradoxical designs as Calvary’s cross screams the Savior’s presence in the most absurd of ways as sin is drained from mankind by its absorption through innocent veins.
Redemption completed by the death grip of iron in nail-pierced hands.
Here in the shadow of crossbeams, the unworthy are deemed valuable.
The harlot made pure.
The shattered and broken are restored and whole.
Enemies are adopted as family members.
The guilty are declared innocent.
All are forgiven.
Forever.
This lavish love makes no earthly sense but remains the most sincere and genuine love to ever come to man. As steady as ocean tide, beckoning me to wade knee-deep in its waves, it issues the invitation to live in a spirit of Advent always.
Looking . . .
Hoping . . .
Anticipating . . .
Waiting . . .
With open hands willing to receive the unexpected in divinely appointed ways.
So be still, anxious heart.
Hush the worry.
Quiet the weary of too much and too fast.
Release your pent-up frustrations as you make your way back to Bethlehem’s manger.
Take your not-enoughness to the foot of Calvary’s cross.
And gaze once again with wonder at the opening of an empty grave.
Slow down and ponder this sacred arrival and deliverance. And the promises that are yet to be revealed by the hand of your Savior.
Perfect love has come and will continue to show up in this wayward world, beloved. Here in the mangers of human hearts, may He find a welcome resting place.