Dear Mission Family,
During this Christmas season we find ourselves contemplating, or at least celebrating, the earthly physical arrival of God’s “Logos”; “The Word (Logos) became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). This is a mystery that surpasses our ability to completely understand. The preparation for this “gift of love” was initiated at the beginning of time and culminated on a cross on Calvary.
In December of 2005 I penned the story that follows. It sprung out of a morning of prayer and meditation over the Incarnation. I would like to give this story to you as a Christmas gift, celebrating the love you have shared with us throughout the year. Allow you mind, soul and spirit to drift back to the beginning of time; Genesis 1:1….
A New Christmas Story
It would be impossible to adequately set the scene for the story that unfolds. An event of cosmic proportion has just occurred. It is possibly the most significant action that has ever transpired, as The Power of Creation has sent rock and dust spewing across an expanse that is immeasurable. The One who stands steadfast amidst the apparent chaos that lies all about is seemingly having a conversation with Himself.
“Tell Me, My Logos, do you see what has happened?”
“Yes” is the reply. “I see order beginning to take form in a brand new way. As I speak, things are taking shape and a new type of life is emerging. Our Spirit is moving over the face of this creation, bringing a unique sense of Holy Rhythm to what is unfolding.”
“Yes, My Logos” is the reply. “I am bringing into being the one thing that I’ve longed for. Through You, I am introducing a new realm called ‘physical life’. It is a complex organism because it has both the elements of spiritual presence, as everything about Us does, and something that confounds the understanding of my angelic beings- a life outside of the spirit.”
“But why, Oh Source of All, have You felt a need to do this?”
The Creator replies, “Even as we speak, a star is falling (Isa. 14:12). Do you see it, My Logos? By My Will I have brought all this into being. But this Morning Star has exercised his will against me. He knows that I desire to have fellowship with this new life form, and he is bent on turning My creation toward his own evil plan and against Me.”
“Why would You allow ‘them’ to possess a free will then? Why did We not make them to be exactly like Us, rather than resembling Us in image?”
“Because I desire to be loved in return! Without a free will, they will simply follow My bidding as the angels do. This is a new dimension to love that I long to experience!”
“Yes Love, I understand. What is next?”
“You see, it has happened already My Logos. Rather than a celestial form, the one who has left me has assumed a place in his world. The form he has chosen is ‘deception’ and my beings have succumbed to it.”
“So, a free will has allowed this?”
“Yes, My Logos, and see how it multiplies. Our Spirit stands ready to respond to their plight, but they are blind to the Power of Our Love which stands before them. They follow the influence of the one who has fallen from Our Fellowship.”
“The waters, which You have brought to being through Me, have eliminated all but a small group of those whom You love. Will these who survived not certainly now follow Your Path of Love?”
“I have supplied them with a pattern for physical, mental and spiritual life. But they either reject My Laws, or they distort them for their own gain. The fallen one has his influence over this.”
“I know Your Love, and desire to be loved, will not allow them to be completely removed. What sacrifice must they make to become whole, in Union with Us?”
“They must do something that they are unable to do, My Logos. They must die to their will and have the blight of sin removed from their lives. Unless this happens, they can never occupy a place with Us.”
“Oh Great Life, I see the pattern for this sacrifice in the offerings they place on the altars of fire. But the cleansing of their souls is not taking place. Within, they seem frustrated, or worse, complacent to the condition of sin in their lives.”
“Yes My Logos, there is another step that must be accomplished. It will require that I place My Greatest Act of Love upon an earthly altar to be consumed. Our creation is unable to satisfy the debt which their lives of separation from Us has accumulated and compounded. We will step in to provide the Only Way for redemption.”
“I see pain in Your eyes, Oh Holy One. But I also sense a new relationship coming into being.”
“Yes, You are My Son. Today I have become Your Father! You will become My Logos appearing in human flesh. The Word that I have been sharing with my creation will now be brought to them in the physical realm of their existence.”
“Certainly now, My Father, they will see the error of their vision and offer their will to You. The power of the fallen one will be nullified and Your Perfect Order will be established.”
“Yes, My Son, this will happen. But in order for this to be accomplished, death must precede it. Sin has permeated their lives and must be atoned for.”
“But Father, if they die, how will they live?”
“Through You My Son! They will receive a new spiritual life, separated from the sin that came into the world through one man.”
“I understand, My Father, that the physical death will be Mine. Your Will and Mine are as one. I am willing to face this necessary event for the sake of Your Love. Will I enter into their realm in the same fashion that it all began?”
“No, My Love, your arrival must represent the humility that I desire for them to live their lives in. This will not be a cataclysmic happening as at the start. You will arrive in the same manner as their offspring do. For a while, you will be dependent upon an earthly father and mother. You will experience the same temptations as they. You will know the sensations of pain, hunger and sadness. But you will also show them the reality of Joy! You will share with them the Good News of My Love. And when the time is right, according to My Will, You will give up your human life so that they might have Eternal Life.’
“How is it then, My Father, that you desire for me to enter into their realm?”
“Listen My Son! Do you not hear a soft, sweet voice, singing precious songs of love to the child that rests within her womb?”
My friends, this is our gift to you this Christmas season. View Christmas as more than a holiday that is celebrated only one day of the year. It is the starting point for the plan of salvation for the entire world. May the Christ of Christmas- God’s Logos come to earth- fill you with Wonder and Joy as you ponder the manger and the empty tomb together. Rita and I pray that the coming New Year is filled with daily revelation of this Love that surpasses complete understanding. We love you and cherish your love in return. Blessed Christmas to you all from “the Hills and Hollers!”
