Thursday, December 8, 2011

His Unspeakable Gift


Last week, I was on the telephone with my sister, Jenny. We were discussing the spiritual thoughts that we'd been meditating on that week. Yeah, I know, that might sound strange for some people. But I come from a family that frequently has deep theological discussions around cups of coffee at the kitchen table. Discussions like "What do you think Dietrich Bonhoeffer meant by cheap grace?" and "How does that relate to the third article of Luther's catechism?" No, my father was not a pastor. Just a godly man with a godly wife who tried their best to raise a godly family. I guess you could say we're just Bible-loving freaks.

My sister has been pondering the words of John 3:16. Not just that God so loved the world, but that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. I bet there's a great Hebrew translation with lots of meaning there.

For me, I love the moments of perfect symmetry that are interspersed between the old and new testaments. Our brokenness came in a garden, with a man and a woman surrounded by animals to witness. And our redemption came in a stable, with a man and a woman surrounded by animals to witness. I love this thought, that somehow God has an important place for animals in the creation and redemption stories. It is a mystery, and someday the Lord will explain it to me.

This card perfectly sums up these thoughts. The sheep in the fields who saw the angels proclaim the Good News! God SO loved!




I LOVE this image from Unity stamp company! I paired it with the sentiment from Papertrey Ink. A clean and simple card proclaiming the Good News. Now that's what Christmas cards are all about!

4 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing :) I love your thoughts about animals in garden and at the birth of His beloved son.

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  2. Very well said. Love the card and the thoughts.

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  3. God SO loves me...that He blessed my life with you. Funny...our conversation has been sitting with me as well. I am in awe of those mysteries. Love you. Such a sweet card.

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