Dear friends,
During the month of December I have been posting
a four part meditation on the life of Christ.
This is part four of four.
May we allow ourselves to be changed, ever more deeply,
as we reflect on the extraordinary gift of Immanuel, God-with-us.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end. Isaiah 9:6-7
Part IV
Your mother, who stayed near
through your suffering and dying
must have longed to cradle you one last time
in her protective arms
before they carried you away
to lay you in a rich man’s tomb.
For those few days, that seemed forever,
the world was dark with grief.
All hope was buried in that tomb.
Fear and hate, greed and violence,
in a world gone mad,
appeared to be the only lasting truth.
But then, God, by the same power
that sung galaxies into being,
raised you up, declaring,
“My love is far more powerful
than hate or greed or fear,
more powerful than death.”
You were the Word,
living out the ancient truth,
“The love of God is steadfast, unshakable.
God’s love endures forever.”
Raised up, you visited many
as you always had, in ordinary moments of life.
You built a fire on the shore’s edge
for your tired fishermen friends, to cook
and breakfast with them,
walked with others along the road,
appearing hundreds of times
over the course of many weeks,
teaching always the love of God for all.
“Tell everyone the good news
that they are loved by their Maker,” you said.
“God is love. Live in God, live in Love.
Let Love live in you.
Live surrendered to Love.
Let Love remake you, fill you, guide you.
Be Love’s flesh and blood,
laid down, poured out, given freely,
in joyful service for all others.”
from Grace Rises, Juanita Ryan
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