Heaven to Earth

 by Macy Johnson

“And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

(Luke 2:7 NIV)

 

On Christmas Eve I pondered the astonishing fact that the Creator would become the created. Why would He do this? Max Lucado wrote, “If God was willing to wrap himself in rags and drink from a mother’s breast, then all questions about his love for you are off the table.” He was motivated by love for us.

 

We met Howard at Watson Mill Bridge State Park in Georgia. It was the week before we were scheduled to camp at one of their sites. We parked, got out of our car, and scoped the layout of the campsite we had chosen.

 

Howard ambled up to us with a blower and pack strapped to his back, slightly bent over with the weight, and grinning from ear to ear. He had sold their 6,000 sq ft house in Virginia to buy a motor home in order to become a campground host. As we got in our car to head home I asked Jeff, “What would cause a prosperous man to sell pretty much everything and camp year-round?”

 

Jesus left heaven to live with us and reveal the Father’s unimaginable love for us. Hymn-writer Emily E. S. Elliott wrote, “Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown when Thou camest to earth for me.”

 

I will never fully understand the love of God, although I see glimpses in those He places around me. Whenever I consider the eternal Creator and the revelations of Himself, I am overcome with awe.

 

I will praise God for revealing His love for us to us in the form of Jesus, a helpless baby in the manger. I hope you will, too!