**Authors note–originally written December of 2016 when I realized that God actually gave His son because He loved me that much. It all became real.
This is my heart. This is the center of my being–my Salvation. When I think of the magnitude of just where I was when God walked into hell and found me, I weep. Not pretty tears either. They are full-on snotty, swollen eye sobs. I had more hurt pent up than I knew what to do with and all I wanted to do was die. So much so, it was my daily mission. God and the angels worked overtime to keep me alive. When I look back now, I see it. I see Salvation. Had I succeeded in death, I would have had an eternity in hell, and there is no coming back from that one. Death is final. The lake of fiery sulfur is actual.
So here I am. God traded my life for His son, His only son.
For unto you this day is born
You knew I was lost because you knew my comings and goings well, and your heart ached. While the rest of the world slept, you were my search party. You never gave up. You knew where to find me–hiding in the darkness. Your timing was perfect. The ransom was costly, but you declared me worth your while. My captor asked for the life of your son in place of mine. You agreed.
In the city of David, a savior
I wept. My life was not worth the life of another, let alone your only son. You disagreed. You said nothing compared to the value you created within me. I disagreed.
I was wrong to run and hide from you; so many ways, I hurt you. As we left, with my ransom paid, you held me while I cried. I hung my head in shame. As you lifted my head, you told me how much you loved me. You promised to never let me down. You would always be my foundation, my rock upon which I stand. I still did not deserve this gift of freedom you sacrificed for me. You said it was your gift to me, that you were the giver and would give as you saw necessary. Freedom was mine. All I needed to do was accept your son in my place.
Which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
My freedom–Salvation–came to earth late one night in the body of a tiny baby. He was born helpless, fulfilling promise after promise. Surrounded by the animals of this earth, my Salvation snuggled into straw for comfort. Salvation was not ordinary. He was God come to pay my ransom, to set me free from the hell in which I had managed to walk.
Salvation started out just like me; he needed to feel what I felt. He had to see what I would see. He needed to breathe the air I would breathe. Salvation was born to set me free. He came to show me that neither life nor death could ever separate me from His love. He withheld nothing, not even his life.
“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For my eyes have seen thy salvation” Luke 2:29-30 NIV