December 19 Descend
“Descend to us, we pray”
Pray
Lord God, from the heights of heaven to the squalor of my selfish, sinful world You came; from glory inaccessible to a cross of shame. In love You descended to my world; may such love be the measure of my praise. Amen.
Read – Ephesians 4:10
“He who descended is the very One who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe”.
Reflect
Jesus Christ is so much more than a Teacher, who came to instruct us in how to live. He is so much more than an Example, a motif for sacrifice. Jesus is not an Illustration of a divine principle, a check mark in the magnum opus of the universe. Jesus Christ is the King who gave up His throne and descended into the abyss in order to rescue His lost and wandering children. He is the eternal Word made flesh, emptying Himself in order to win our salvation.
Every other religion in the world has adherents who strive to reach up to their god. By good deeds or acts of mercy, or by strict adherence to ceremonial or moral law, devotees hope that the scales will tip in their favor. If only they try hard enough, they believe, or pray long enough, their god will let them into his heaven. Only Christianity has a God who reaches down to us, who risks His holiness for our eternal happiness. Alleluia! What a Savior! Only love could compel Him to such lengths; and the only response He looks for is our love. When, in a manger, we see God “contracted to a span,” what can we do, but give Him our hearts?
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