When Love Came Down

When Love Came Down

2021-12-22

when love came down

it could be a parent, a teacher, a sibling or a friend... we can easily recall a time when we disappointed someone.  maybe they met our failure with a cold shoulder...  a cold stare...  disappointment written on their face... when love came down, our failure wasn't met with arms folded, toe tapping or stern look.  love didn't sit in a corner and pout about how we hurt it - waiting for us to come to our senses and grovel back with an acceptable apology.  love came with open arms, forgiveness and a willingness to meet us (in all our messiness).  love didn't wait for us to be good enough or acceptable enough.  

when love came down

we've all seen the celebrations...  parades for sports teams, award shows for celebrities.  maybe we've heard stories about famous people who play the "don't you know who i am" card when trying to get out of a sticky situation.  or those stories about that local legend who never has to buy a meal in their hometown.  adulation. attention. fanfare.  when love came down, there were no parades or parties. it was a quiet, starry night in a small town...  in a barn...  love did not demand billboards or acclaim.  shepherds, wise men, sacrificial gifts given to the gift of sacrifice.  

when love came down

in the end, i suppose we all answer to someone.  a boss? a parent? the bank? the irs? government?  we live in a world of rules and under the authority of others. when love came down, it didn't come with the hardness of a demanding, punishing king... or some kind of ruler with thoughts only of itself.  love came as one of us....  a baby, a kid, a son, a carpenter, a teacher....  a savior.  no demands to "get in line with the program".  love invites.... it doesn't crack a whip. love hopes....  it doesn't regulate.  love waits.... for as long as it takes.

when love came down

at Christmas, we remember that love came down.  not as victim, not as celebrity, not as an earthly ruler.  love came, and gave, and died, and rose...  and stands at the door, with the best gift ever, and knocks.