Love—deep red love—
came struggling through
the pressure of the birth canal
and landed safe in loving hands
that washed away the blood
and held him close.
They did not know, not yet,
that Love’s own blood
would someday spurt
from lashes to his back,
from nails plunged straight
through his own hands,
and through his feet—
blood of Life and supreme Love
that would bring hope to anyone
who trusted in his words
and in the power of his shed blood
to wash away the curse of sin.
It sealed a covenant of peace
between the Lord and his dear ones,
a document of liberation
signed in crimson blood,
the red of Love.
God’s love, shown in becoming human and living among us so that we could belong to him, that love is what Christmas is truly about. This year, with Christmas Day landing on the Monday just after Sunday, the Fourth Week of Advent lasted just one day! That week focuses on love, and it deserves reflection.
So this week, with all the holiday hubbub taking over our lives, I just send out this poem written eight years ago that is speaking to my heart now. May Jesus’ self-sacrifice, the blood of birth and death, be a continuing theme of our hope, peace and joy! He conquered death for us. The new covenant he put in place is one of peace and life, sealed by his love!
“Thank you, Jesus, for all you’ve done–thank you, Lord!”
Linnea's Lines 