As I am writing this it is early, very early Christmas eve. I have been thinking of new life, of babies, of poverty and considering the gift that was given to us in the person of Jesus Christ. Specifically, I have been pondering our poverty and need. I know that I am lacking and in need, all of us are. We generally may realize that we have material or physical needs, but we have need in far many more ways than those. The human condition, shows us our need and where we are lacking, be it  emotionally, mentally, physically, or spiritually. God knows this and cares for us in ways that we do not recognize and often times fail to understand. Though we plumb the depths, try as we might we do not grasp fully God’s love for us.

As a baby comes into this world, it is readily apparent that he or she has needs that have to be met for their very survival and that without the intervention of a loving parent the baby will not thrive and develop as they should. As they continue towards adulthood those needs do not change they just may be met in different ways. God our father, knows where we as people lack and what need we have. He knows the ways in which we have tried in ourselves to meet those needs and the failure that brings.We were not meant to be self-sufficient.  From the very beginning we were meant to be interdependent with one another and totally dependent upon him. God used the birth of Jesus and his life to model that for us.

Because of God’s great love for us he sent his Son Jesus as a baby. A baby who was simultaneously interdependent with other human beings while at the same time modeling for us his dependency on the Father.  An infant receiving love and care from man and love and care from God. Love is what we need.  God knows us and gave us this great gift of His Son. May we spend time reflecting on what this gift means to us.  Have a blessed and joyous Christmas.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6 ESV)