As I was falling asleep last night, I kept thinking of the great love of the Lord! I thought of many of the glorious descriptions of heaven in the Bible, and how there is no darkness there. I imagined all of that beauty, but then thought how He left it all to come to this world, a world that was filled with suffering, sadness, and darkness. He didn't come as a great king, but as a babe born in a manger to lowly parents. Even during his life, his thoughts were not of His own comfort, but of others. Often he would have nowhere to rest. He said,

“The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests,

but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head!”

Matthew 8:20

Not only was His birth so lowly, but the life He lived was one of altruistic giving. He turned no one away who came to Him, but helped and supplied the needs of people in all walks of life. Many times, instead of gratitude, some forsook and even abused him. He was rejected and often despised. He willingly gave His life, taking the place of all. These thoughts brought the following song to my mind,

“Wonderful it is that Jesus cares for me,

Coming from His home on high,

Into pain and sorrow, poverty and woe,

On Calv'ry's cruel cross for me to die.

Oh, what love that He should die for me!

Saving grace thus to supply for me;

Oh, what love! Oh what love!

Evermore I'll sing it -- Oh, what love!”

– David Williams?

No wonder the apostle Paul could not hold back his feelings and exclaimed,

“Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!”

2 Corinthians 9:15

And my heart also swells with heartfelt thanks! With the Psalmist, it cries out:

“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving,

Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

For the Lord is a great God!

Psalm 95:1-3