During the Christmas season, I had this recurring thought come to me. Redemption was at rest in her arms. I don’t think the most interested mind could ever do the story the justice it deserves. However, I could not shake this thought for the past couple of weeks, it was as though it begged for my attention. Jesus, at rest in the arms of a virgin mother. As awkward as it surely was, the reality of Who and What was in her arms is what the story is all about. Redemption was at rest in her arms, innocence in the arms of innocence, purity in the arms of purity. Angels had announced it, and shepherds responded to the invitation that was like no other ever heard on earth before that sleepy evening. Up they went from their field where long before Boaz had met a widowed alien from Moab. Up they went, as they had many times before, to the hill top town of Bethlehem to witness the miracle. It was a coin in her arms; the price of redemption lay sleeping. It was the sacrificial Lamb in her arms, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. It was the “Peace that passes all understanding” in her arms. It was a light that shined in darkness in her arms. It was the little child who would lead them, a stone that lay in her arms, the precious corner-stone the builders rejected. It was like a bouquet in her arms, a rose, and a lily. It was the Son in her arms, not only her’s, but the Son of God and the Son of Man. It was a loaf of bread in her arms, the Bread of Life. He was healing, deliverance, grace, and truth. Yes, redemption was at rest in her arms, and now we rest in His.
Borrowing from a golden oldie: “Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, redeemed through his infinite mercy, His child and forever I am. Redeemed, redeemed His child, and forever I am.” As redemption was at rest in Mary’s arms, we can be at rest in His arms.
WE BELIEVE IN YOU!
GOODBYE 2014, HELLO 2015!
Your loving pastors,
Cleddie and GayNell Keith