Craig Clouston

Beyond All Reason

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.
Isaiah 9:6 (kjv)

It was Christmas Eve. Paul found himself staring at last year’s gift from their son. He’d been unsettled about the wide-screen TV until Manny had his say. It went way beyond what they normally spent on each other. And even though Manny had a good job, Paul had been concerned. Being on the receiving end of such extravagance was uncomfortable.
Smiling, he remembered their conversation. He hadn’t wanted to offend Manny by making him return it for a lesser item. On the other hand, he hadn’t wanted him thinking he loved him for buying such a costly gift.
“Look, Dad,” Manny had said. “I know we’re not supposed to spend this much, and I know Christmas is not about presents. But it is about gifts, and your old TV is falling apart! I just wanted to be able to see what I’m watching whenever I’m here!” The mischief in his words bore witness to the fact he knew he wouldn’t be denied.
Paul loved his children beyond words. And he knew they understood he would do anything for them. That’s what made the gift so difficult to accept; parents were supposed to do for their children, not the other way around.

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At a time when the world was in its greatest need, God sent us His Son, a gift born out of a love so deep that we cannot fathom it. After all, how many of us would send our son into a dark world such as ours, knowing he would be persecuted, tortured, and killed by the very people we sent him to? All in the hopes they would understand that if they would follow him, he would lead them out of the darkness.
Jesus, in order that we might know the Father’s heart, joined us on a cold morning in the form of a child. Being on the receiving end of such extravagance can be uncomfortable. But by laying our pride at the manger, we will discover a love beyond all reason.

Prayer

“Thank You, Father, for the costly gift of Your Son. Thank You, Jesus, for leaving heaven’s safety to show us such love. May we never forget how precious a gift You are. Amen.”