The Parting

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. (John 1:1-2)

Father	Son?
Son	Yes, Dad.
Father	It’s time, Son.
Son	I’m ready. I’m willing. I’ve always been willing.
Father	Yes, I know. It was your idea from the first.
Son	We all agreed it was the only way. I want it this way. From the beginning we knew that if we gave them the choice, they would go their own way. But we wanted them to choose us freely.
Father	You are right. It is not love if they do not choose us.
Son	Yes, and we want them to experience the joy of true love. And since all of them have chosen to go their own way, the only way to save them once and for all is for me to go to them. I love them too much to lose them forever.
Father	Me too. But even after your work is done, some of them, indeed most of them, still will not choose you.
Son	Even still for those few who come to me, Dad, I am willing. Just for them, I do this. It is difficult for me to leave you and all this.
Father	Son, we will talk. Whenever you want, I’m here for you. We won’t really be apart until the end.
Son	That will be the hardest part. But it will be worth it. I love them so much, Dad. We can’t not do this.
Father	Even you are free to choose, Son. You can choose to not do this.
Son	Yes, I know. I will do this. I’m ready to go now. Just one last thing, Dad -- Hold me.
Father	Don’t worry, Son, I will not let you go.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)