Plain View Farm, Bryant, SD

NOTE ABOUT THE INCIDENT BEHIND THESE CHRISTMAS GREETINGS: On December 10, invited by a famiy of three adopted children I attended a Christmas play called "Christmas in Egypt" performed by them and other children at their church in a neighboring community. Giving up a service at my own church, I did it only because I knew that my going meant something to these special children. Unfortunately, I could scarcely make out the words of any of the well-performed songs or speeches, as I sat too far back, and some children spoke to each other and not to the audience. The baby in Mary's arms also cried over Mary's microphone and drowned out the program. In desperation, since there was little chance of any seat closer in, I asked the Lord what he had to show me through this experience, and one thing struck me that I was able to hear. It came from a line of one song, and it spoke of the Father coming to us "like a child" in Jesus. The thought was a stroke of lightning right through me: God the Father made himself, Omnipotence, like a child in order to be made known and accessible to mankind? Really? Yet scripture supported this most amazing truth, since Jesus himself testified that he only came to make known the Father through his works of miracles, healing, preaching of the Good News of the Kingdom, and compassion. Looking at this act of God, it shows how absolutely committed and determined God was in his plan to redeem the world--He loved and anguished over the fallen earth so much that he gave up the most precious thing to his divine father's heart, his only begotten son. What sacrifice doesn't pale in comparison to God the Father's? John 3:16 takes on new meaning to me. God "so loved the world" that much? That much? How is that possible? Yet he clearly did love our world to the uttermost extent of the infinite love of which He is capable, and loves each one of us fallen and sinful human beings that much, to have sent his precious son into the dens of murderous human beasts and wolves to be tortured, beaten, shamed, humiliated, flogged, persecuted, lied against, spit upon, and crucified! The Father in heaven made himself "like a child" in yielding up his most precious possession, the Son of God, to the whole stupendous Redemption Plan process leading from the manger in Bethlehem to the Cross of Golgotha. I wonder, if I continue thinking about this, if I can ever be the same person I have been. For what response, gaining this insight into God the Father's Bethlehem-to-Golgotha giving of himself like a child, may God require from me in return? That was only one question I had to ask myself. Must I become as a child to reach God? Yes, I believe that, and at age fifteen asked Christ my Savior into my heart and to forgive my sins. That takes a childlike act, and I made it and was saved. But, years later, must I still yield up myself in service as fully, deeply, and painfully as God yielded Himself and His Son? Surely, he isn't asking that much of me? Or is he? And how about you, friend?--Ronald Ginther, Puyallup, Washington.

LIKE A SMALL CHILD,

Reflections on the Father's Love

From children, babes, I learned wisdom!

A great truth, truly, beyond knowing--

that God the Father, He has come

like any child, most helpless thing.

That manger scene has glazed our eyes,

made pretty, sweet, and even cute.

Wise men, barn without the flies,

without foul smells, does it compute?

We don't see how it really was,

terrors, wonders of this birth:
angels gasping, their applause

left poor shepherds face down on earth!

God came a child! That was a fact.
So helpless, crying, impotent,

thus God the Father's trumping act:

to win a world his Best he sent.

"You must become like a small child,"

the Father's Best said most plainly.

"Unless you're trusting, humble, mild,

Heaven's gate will close to thee."

Friend, have you marked the end of Christ?

A better scene, friend, was his dying--

while guards threw knucklebones and diced,

grown men turned babes, to God were crying!

One, we know, was Roman-bred,

Centurion, no less was he;

The other? A low thief, half-dead.

Yet both won Life eternally.

What pierced the armor round their hearts?

Perfect Lamb? or God Supreme?

True man, true God, complete, both parts?

No! God's total love spent to redeem.

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