The Beginning

I wonder how long God had it planned. I wonder if when He was making the earth, He had already decided how He would save it. I wonder when God the Son decided, "Sure, I'll go be one of them so they might love us." I wonder. God's love is vast. He probably created the world with the only intention of being able to show steadfast love to us every chance He could. It is His nature.

Reading the beginning of the New Beginning is powerful. Before Jesus was even born, God was on the move. God was working to prepare the way, just as He had promised in Malachi (yesterday). Then Jesus came. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. His own did not receive Him. But we who do receive Him can be called children of God who are born of God.

Do you receive that good news?

The Spirit is at work in Luke 1. He's working hard to make sure the will of the Father is done. Zechariah is muted because of his unbelief, probably so he can't mess anything up. Elizabeth his wife seems to have enough faith for the both of them. She seems completely filled with the Spirit. I love the strong female images in this chapter. Very few woman get to say much of anything in the Bible, but these two women - Elizabeth and Mary - say their fair share. Mary even authored part of the chapter. She will be considered blessed among women. I do consider her blessed. I guess it's my womanyness that makes me think how blessed she is to have carried the Son of God. Wow. And she accepted the challenge so willingly. True faith is shown in these women.

And so the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. And so it begins.