Friends of God

John 15:13,15 says, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends...I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."

As a young girl, I thought of God as a harsh taskmaster. I had a vision of a powerful being without much grace, ready and waiting to punish me for my shortcomings. As I grew and experienced the grace of my godly parents, and experienced the wonder of my own family, I saw God at work in my life as a friend. Through times of poverty, sickness, and depression, He has walked with me and been a Provider, an Encourager, and a Giver of Peace. Proverbs 19:24 tells us that "There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." This holiday season my wish is that those who read this will come to know Christ as friend.

I wrote the following poem with this thought in mind.

Come

In a lowly manger, Christ he lay,

On that most glorious Christmas day.

While angels heralded his coming,

Shepherds came with flocks a-bleating.

Wise men came from lands afar,

Following the brightest star.

With humble hearts they came to see,

This Child who would set men free,

Not with wrath and sword in hand,

But as a sacrificial Lamb.

Led to the slaughter by those He sought,

Who heard His words and listened not.

There was no greater cost,

There is no greater price,

Than to save that which was lost,

And bring the dead to life.

What would you bring to see His face?

To feel His love, inherit His grace.

You say no gold or myrhh have you,

Than bring your heart, He'll take that too.

More precious than jewels are you to Christ.

He left His Father and gave His life.

A ramsom for many, a ransom for one,

Now all that's left to do is come.

By Mary Parsons 2003