O Source of all good, what shall I render to Thee for the Gift of gifts? Thine own dearly begotten Son as my Redeemer, proxy, surety, and substitute. His self-emptying incomprehensible love. His hesed beyond the heart’s grasp (Note).

Herein is wonder of wonders: He became the Son of Man so that man could become the son of God. Herein is love: when I cannot rise to Him, He draws near on wings of grace to raise me to Himself. Herein is power: when Deity and humanity were infinitely apart, He united them in indissoluble unity, the uncreated and the created. Herein is wisdom: when I was undone, with no will to return to Him, and no intellect to devise recovery, He came, as man to die my death. To shed redeeming blood on my behalf. To work out a perfect righteousness for me.

O God, take me in spirit to the watchful shepherds and let me hear good tidings of great joy, and hearing believe, rejoice, praise, adore. Place me with the ox, ass, camel, goat, to look with them upon my Redeemer’s face, and in Him account myself delivered from sin. Let me with Simeon clasp the new-born child to my heart, embracing Him with everlasting faith, exulting that He is mine and I am His.

Adapted, The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, Arthur Bennett (1915 – 1994)

Note: Hesed (Hebrew) is one of the great loanwords of all time. It is often translated lovingkindness, but there is no word in English (or Greek) that can express the nature, fullness, and magnitude of hesed. Hesed is an expression of compassion, mercy, faithfulness, and love impelled by a free-willed decision and not by obligation. Hesed is a defining characteristic of God linked to His compassion and graciousness. It is expressed in His willingness to forgive wrongdoing and to take upon Himself the sin, rebellion, and transgressions of His people.