O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it! Luke 13:34
This passage is not a fond or familiar Christmas sentiment. There are others in God’s word which we all relate to and find such truth and hope during this season. I am among those who like the familiar passages such as Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6. The prophecies of the Savior’s birth that describe His wonderful character as God coming to this earth in the form of a precious baby. Then we have the description of what happened when He was born in Luke chapter 2. We read of the individuals and events that surrounded Him on that night and the days that followed. Like you, I find great comfort in reading, remembering and thanking Jesus for these portions of scripture at Christmas.
Luke 13:34 reveals to us not only the grieving heart of God toward His people, but His longing and loving heart toward man. God sent into the world the very answer to the misery of our plight. He longed to gather the children of Israel to Himself but God’s gracious longing was refused. Our Creator has continued to send those who beckon us to the light and life of the Christ child, and man still will not have Him.
Love came down at Christmas! Love walked and talked with us, up and down the lanes of Galilee and Judea. Love grieved and bled and broke its heart for us on Calvary. The word became flesh and dwelt among us; and we beheld His glory…full of grace and truth.
In Jesus, God looks on us through human eyes, calls to us with human lips, touches us with human hands, walks toward us with human feet and sympathizes with us through a human heart that beats with divine love.
This is the heart of Christmas, the very heart of God! How will we respond to this indescribable gift? So freely given, so graciously sent, Jesus is the way God gathers us to Himself. Let’s worship and give Him the gifts and deep remembrance and gratitude with our lives. And if we have neglected or forgotten why He came, there’s hope! Remember God’s heart that longs to gather you to Himself and who forgives and restores.
Love came down at Christmas, love divine and sweet
To bring me near the heart of God a price I could not meet.
Jesus, the child was born and would become a man
To call me in to realms of joy by God’s eternal plan.
The cross became the ransom price, Jesus took my place
To take away my sin and guilt, to know His lovely grace.
The heart of Christmas is, and has forever been
The Son of God was born to bring us back to Him.