Because He Loved Me So

Why did my Savior come to Earth
and to the humble go?
Why did he choose a lowly birth?
Because he loved me so!

Christmas is the day when people the world over stop and reflect on the beginning of a story we Christians believe gives meaning, hope and redemption to the world.

This story has been told for nearly 2,000 years. And yet, one never gets tired of hearing it. Even the most cynical hearts are given a moment’s pause when the story is told. If they don’t believe in it—they wish they could. We are caught up in its beauty and its power. The words: “peace to men on whom his favor rests” inspires us to renew our efforts to be makers and pursuers of peace—even if only for a little while.

But the question that brings the most wonder to this story is Why? Why did my Savior come to earth? Why, indeed.

Think about it for a moment. You are a scientist who has done the fantastic, you have created life in a test tube. The little beings are simple, but somewhat intelligent. However they reject your every effort you make to take care of them. They become selfish and evil, spitting in your face. Would you die for them? Really?

And yet, in a sense, that is what happened. Why would God die for us? But it’s more than that, isn’t it? Why would he take on our own form, give up everything to live among us; to live in our world, to experience our challenges and to be rejected and tortured to death by the ones he would save? Why would he do that?

As simple as it sounds, the song is essentially correct: because he loved me so.

I tell you nothing you don’t already know! No new insights—no deep truths. But that’s not right, is it? The self-giving love of Jesus is the deepest truth we could ever attempt to wrestle with. I recommend you take a moment to look up the following texts and read them:

Psalm 36:5-9
John 3:16
1 John 3:1-3, 16
John 5:9-17
Romans 5:5-8
Romans 8:38-39

So what do we say? What do we do in response to the great love lavished on us? What does all love want in return? Love. That’s it: love.

As a result of God’s great love we are called to love him in return, to love each other, and to love all those who share this world.

It is so tempting to relegate all charity, all gift giving, all unselfish help to certain special times and seasons of the year. But as followers of this one named Jesus, we have bought into a life calling.

Let’s praise God, let’s love each other, and let’s find ways to care for this world every day.

May you learn the answer to: Why did my Savior come to earth? Really learn it. May you embrace his love with your entire being. And may you allow his love to shine through you every day!