The Ultimate Fork (12/22/2023)

From the very beginning, it has been clear that the LORD loves us even when we aren’t acting loveable. Throughout the ages, the LORD has called us back through the Exodus experience, through the law given to Moses, through the prophets such as Isaiah. None of these worked, not really. We’d return and then we’d stray again. But then the LORD reached a point for reasons only the LORD knows, the “ultimate fork” in the relationship with humanity, and the world is forever changed. We call it Christmas.

Instead of choosing a leader for us, instead of laws written upon tablets, instead of eloquent messengers, the LORD chose to become human, to dwell among us, and to redeem us not through the strength of armies but the loving and selfless surrender of One for the sake of all upon a cross. And it all began at the fork in history we call Christmas.

As we near the celebration of Christmas, may we take time to stand prayerfully at that “ultimate fork,” at the LORD’s birth not only among us but as one of us. Let us ponder the love that would have precipitated such a gift. Let us take in the wonder and allow it to fill our minds and hearts with loving awe. Let us spend time considering that Christ came to us as a vulnerable infant laid in a manger and that he gave his life for us as a vulnerable redeemer upon a cross. Let us set down our desire for power and prestige, for glory and honor, and pick up our rightful humility before our LORD. May we open the LORD’s gift to us with joyful surrender.

And may we recognize that daily we stand at a fork in the road, the road of our journey. Will we pick the way that leads us home to union with our loving LORD? Let us pray to the LORD for help in choosing because clearly, the LORD has experience with forks.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.