The brightness dimmed....

There was a stillness about them. Silence and confusion settled life a fog over a meadow. The brightness dimmed. The Light of Heaven had stepped down to the threshold of earth. The Son of God was no longer among them. He presence was gone and His absence was tangible. Jesus, sent to earth? Those who knew Him and worshiped Him as He should be worshiped, floundered. Quietly, they stood. Waiting. Surely He would be with them again quickly. What needed to be done that required His presence in such a lowly and sinful place? He had only to speak. At the sound of His voice, obedience followed. He was the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! All of existence was at His disposal. Yet, He was gone. There. Among the wicked and godless creations.

This made no sense. And it was not comforting as the Father explained. Jesus would live there for a time, as a man, among those He created. As they pled for His return, God interrupted to reveal that Jesus had gone at His request. To accomplish God's mission for mankind. He would live there. He would be rejected. He would be tortured......He would die. No! Impossible! Mankind would not let this happen! They would know Him! They would worship and adore Him!

As history would have it, they did not know Him. Except for a few, they turned from Him and wanted no part of His life, His teaching."Who is this Jesus?" They asked. "Crucify Him!" They demanded. The host of heaven watched in horror. Surely the Christ would do something to stop this. Surely God would end His agony and bring Him home! How could this possibly be part of the plan? He was holy. He was sinless!

Then, darkness fell. It was finished.

Who is this Jesus? Let us not forget. He is Immanuel. He is Sovereign. He is Love. And He willingly came to us. Willingly and knowingly, He sacrificed Himself. For us. That babe in the manger was Almighty God, Ruler of the universe He created. Savior of mankind. STILL, He comes to us. Our response to Him? Do we take this impossible, immeasurable gift for granted? Do we accept what He has done for us and then turn away? To our own desires? Is it too hard to serve, love and obey? The God eternal came for us. What will we do?