She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. (Luke 2:7)

And there, in one verse, is the longing of millions of hearts who searched for Him for centuries. Who waited. Craving a Savior.

In one verse, so unassuming, laid the heart of the Father. Love so divine, hidden in a baby, born in a barn.

Humbly.

No fanfare.

No paparazzi.

Yet all the hosts of heaven were looking on, watching,                                                                                    as the faithfulness of God lay in a feeding trough, sleeping.

Unaware yet full of purpose.

Unexpected yet anticipated.

Heaven and earth collided in a silence broken only by the baby’s cry. Eternity was chasing time and Immortality was condemned to die at birth.

And He chose it.

On purpose.

Love came down. And stayed. It wasn’t a quick visit but a new way of life.                                                      An ever-abiding presence. Emmanuel. God is with us now.

Oh the wonder!

Love leaves nothing the same. Everything in the path of this hurricane is touched.

It has to bend.

To move.

To change.

The One who threw the stars in place and breathed life into the earth and made everything out of nothing at all–

Came.

Searching.

Longing.

Chasing me.

Relentlessly.

A simple birth. A humble life. A humiliating death.

For me.

And now He’s my brother. His Father my Father. I’ve been adopted by love.

I belong.

He chose me.

“She gave birth to her first child, a son…”

Nine words that changed everything. Forever. For you. For me.

Rescued.

Restored.

Renewed.

Loved.

I am His and He is mine.

Never lose the wonder.