Did you know...?

 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Mary, did you know….?

The haunting tune and meaningful words of this modern Christmas carol swirl in my mind and play on my lips.

The Word was God from the beginning, yet he was born in a humble stable as Immanuel. ‘Did you know…when you kissed your little baby, you kissed the face of God?’

This year I am sitting with the mystery that is Christmas. The mystery that says that Almighty God who threw the stars into space was born to a young virgin in Bethlehem, vulnerable and dependent on the fallible humans he had created. Totally dependent on their kindness and love. He entrusted himself into the hands of those who are often totally untrustworthy.

Mary did you  know … the child that you delivered, would soon deliver you?

The Saviour of the world first had to survive an uncertain childhood as a refugee, then as the child of a carpenter, before he could embark on his divine mission to save the world.

He did it. He loved the world so much, no sacrifice was too great.

He was in the world but the world didn’t understand, didn’t accept him. But to those who did, he gave the right to be children of God. No longer servants. Children.

The light shines in the darkness. Maranatha. Come Lord Jesus. Come again in my heart; come in the hearts of those I know who don’t yet know you; come in the hearts of the perpetrators of violence and distress; come in the hearts of those who have no knowledge of you. Maranatha.

In the beginning was the Word. He is the alpha and the omega. Hallelujah.