An Incredible Love Story
- Love It Was . . . -

It was as if nobody dared to make a sound. Every creature in this magnificent part of the universe seemed to hold its breath. It created an atmosphere of expectation. But what was there to expect? What was going on? What was the mystery that filled the air? It was like the silence before a huge storm, when birds stop singing and even leaves on trees stop whispering their rhymes.

The father held his son in his arms like never before. Tears filled his eyes. How do you send somebody off into a war zone? He knew the circumstances would be horrendous. This was not a separation for just a few days. To let him leave this majestic place of peace and beauty, to actually let him exchange this perfect environment for ugly battleground, was a terrifying thought. The inevitable moment had to come, but when it arrived it broke his heart. The pain of saying good-bye was so much worse than physical pain! What an enormous void it creates when the one you love has to go and will be out of reach! The father knew inside what hell his son would face. The knowledge that the enemy was waiting for this felt like a knife cutting deep into his heart. He dreaded what had to happen; his son, with vulnerable love for people as his weapon, sent down in the midst of raging darkness.

The son had to let go. He knew it was time. It was so hard! It was not the fear of facing incredible violence and destructive forces. All the pain came from leaving this place where he belonged and had been loved! The battle started right here! To step away from home made his knees tremble, and his feet refused to carry him in any direction. He finally untangled himself from his father's grip and succeeded in moving his legs. He went on his mission without looking back . . .

And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The son emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming as human beings are; and being in every way like a human being, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. And for this God raised him high, and gave him the name which is above all other names; so that all creatures in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus and that every tongue should acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Father so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

The son made us know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

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Imaginative parts: Jan Vanderbliek
Factual parts: GOD (Luke 2:7 Philippians 2: 6-11 John 3:16 1 John 3:16 From the NIV)