“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel” {Matthew 1:23}
With the spotlight of a star, Glory stooped low into the womb of a peasant girl with a marred reputation. A stable of animals ushered this universe-Creator into a world of grace-hungry souls. The shepherds came running, tripping over themselves to see this wonder of heaven, snuggled in an animal trough before them. He had come. The Savior was here, breathing in the same stable-air and blinking at the same radiant starlight.
We know this story. We sing this story. And we repeat it to our kids whenever December blows in. But, do we understand the magnitude and the wonder of the Incarnation at all?
What can we make of this divine legacy, this Jesus-act of drawing near and loving up-close?
The other night, the echo of Immanuel showed up in the eyes of my child standing beside my bed, asking quietly if she could sleep with us — again. This one needs to be near, as close as skin. And, somehow in the quietness of closeness, my heart falls in love and attaches more and more. I begin to see her perspective, to empathize with her fears.
Getting close does something to our hearts. Jesus knew that when He led the way, crossing the distance between heaven and earth. In doing so, He calls us to move intentionally into the lives of souls around us. He calls us to engage with people outside our immediate reach and to love well. In the serving, the hand-shaking, the back-patting, the hugging, and the holding, we are finally close enough to be transformed and for our hearts to be tenderized to love.
But this kind of up-close love isn’t always aglow with smiles or hash-tagged with sweet sentiments. This love originates in trenches and dusty stables. It’s stained with blood and shaped like a cross. It calls us to open wide our arms, exposing our unprotected hearts, and to remain suspended when logic and reason demand we move on and close up our hearts forever. Staying close takes commitment when there are no feelings because it’s an intentional choice to be available, to continue holding and loving and hugging no matter what.
Truth is, incarnational loving requires us to remain close enough to feel hearts beating and breaking — and for some of the breaking to be our own.
So recently, I’ve taken a carrier meant for snuggled up babies and used it to strap this preschool child to my body, in order to keep her close. My back nearly breaks in order to love this one well and keep contact for hours. And somehow the aching of my back mimics the wounds and bruises her heart has felt. We connect in the pain of it all. All day, she sits on my lap, stays in my arms, clings to me, asks to be carried. The inconvenience of staying close is real. The call to sacrifice is relentless.
Yet, the One who came close? His example defies our desire to keep our distance. Praise God, He entered our bruised places. He connects with us in the pain of it all — for He willingly sunk into bones and veins and strapped our sin-burden on His body as His own.
Jesus came near to love us up-close, and His body broke to heal ours.
This, my dear friends, is Christmas.
This is the opening chapter of the greatest love story ever told — for, once upon a time, Glory came near and dwelled among us. This act of sacrifice redeems all who cling to Him as Savior. And, may it change our lonely story line into a community of well-loved, tightly-held people who make His incarnate love believable with our very lives.
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Related: With its gentle expressions of love, this carefully hand-painted Willow Tree Holy Family Nativity is a beautiful reflection of the true meaning of Christmas. It’s meaningful gift and a wonderful keepsake that can be enjoyed by family and friends for many years to come.
Leave a Comment
Sarah S says
beautiful
Gail Noe says
Thank you!!!!!!!!! The Lord has caused one with such need to be up close constantly in my home-my husband, who is in a tough test of faith.
Rebecca Jones says
Jesus came near to love us up-close, and His body broke to heal ours. A beautiful thought, at Christmas or anytime. He should be so much more than a story to people, sadly a lotof people still don’t know that.
karen says
I loved reading some of your blog posts! God at work in and through you!!!!!!
Anne Dahlhauser says
Thanks for the encouragement, Karen! 🙂
Doris Swift says
Beautiful Anne! I’m a hugger, and love the closeness of family and community. So much truth, and love this: Jesus came near to love us up-close, and His body broke to heal ours.
Beth Williams says
Anne,
I love closeness. I love to snuggle, hug, etc. People (ALL people) need to be loved and told they are loved ALL the time!
Blessings:)
Angie Ryg says
“Staying close takes commitment when there are no feelings because it’s an intentional choice to be available, to continue holding and loving and hugging no matter what.”
Yes! This commitment is His example of a perfect love ~ and ours to TRY to do as well ~ with the help of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for this beautiful reminder.
Sarah Lee says
“It’s an intentional choice to be available…” Those words hit me hard just now. I’m not as available to love those around me as I should be, as I want to be. In this world of distraction, making myself available does need to be intentional. Availability and loving do not just happen.
Keri Siegel says
FANTASTIC!!! Thank you for that word. Be blessed.
kelly balarie says
Sweet tender words Anne. I loved them.
Karrilee Aggett says
Oh my how I loved this! I’m so grateful He is an Up-close kind of God… an up-close Kind God!