As soon as the shepherds had started back home, Judah began to come close to baby Jesus. He wanted to see for himself - up close - just what made this little baby so very special that a whole multitude of angels would announce His birth. Judah quietly knelt beside the manger. Mary smiled and Joseph beckoned him to reach out and touch the baby. At first Judah was a little hesitant - but something deep in his dreaming heart told him that this would be a good (and special) thing to do. So he gently placed his hand on the baby’s hand. Then he caressed the baby’s cheek with the soft touch of his fingers. (Judah had had a lot of practice with his new sister Raina Joy!). And then he looked into the eyes of baby Jesus. And as he did it was like Judah’s awareness of time or of being in the stable had ceased to matter. He was captivated by the beauty and the feeling of total love and acceptance he found in the eyes of this precious baby. Suddenly he was startled back into reality (of course, dreams are much more reality than the things we can see with our physical eyes because God often speaks to His children by His Spirit there - in dreams...very often). Someone was speaking to him. What startled him was that he thought baby Jesus had spoken to him. Then it happened again! That voice! It wasn’t the baby who had spoken - but the voice did seem to be coming from somewhere in the heart of the baby Jesus. The voice seemed to be saying, “Come here, Judah! Come here and see Me!” Judah wondered how he could do that if the voice was coming from the heart of baby Jesus. So he asked, “How can I come to You if You’re inside the baby?” And the voice said, “Just lift your hands to me and I’ll carry you here.” So he did.
The next part was better than any Christmas he could ever have imagined. One instant Judah had been touching the baby Jesus. The next, he found himself flying through the clouds and into a magnificent city whose streets were paved with gold! And everywhere he looked he saw buildings of unbelievable beauty all made of exquisite jewels and precious metals. Trough the center of the city ran a river of crystal light. And the trees! There were trees all along the way beside the river - and they were loaded with fruit - fruit that looked like diamonds and rubies and emeralds and every other kind of jewel the little boy could imagine! Soon he found himself approaching what must have been the center of the city. He could just tell. There was light like he had never seen before. Light that did not come from the sun, but light that came from the very heart of this beautiful city. The voice never stopped calling him during the entire flight - and it seemed to be coming from the light! Judah couldn’t believe his eyes! He had never felt such peace and joy as he felt now. He flew right towards the light, yet he wasn’t afraid - even though he tried to be! The next thing he knew, Judah was in the light and found himself approaching a beautiful white throne. And upon the throne sat a wise looking older man - and it was his lips that were calling to Judah, “Come here, Judah! Come her and see Me! I’ve been waiting for this day!” Judah couldn’t but laugh for joy. This man was so loving - yet awesome in his obvious strength. He was so gentle - yet His eyes were firm in their gaze. Yet Judah noticed that even though this man on the throne looked perfectly at peace and bathed in joy, he also had a look of sadness and heaviness mingled with the joy.
Before Judah knew what he was saying he blurted out, “why are You so sad, sir? Being here brings great joy to my heart, but I can’t help but notice the look in Your eyes. It’s like the way a man looks when he’s been longing for a long lost friend. Have You lost a good friend?” The man took Judah upon His lap and asked him, “Do you know Who I Am, Judah?” Judah shook his head ‘no.’ “I Am the Creator of the Universe; I Am The Giver of Dreams; I Am Your Heavenly Father - I Am Your God.” Judah wanted to bow down and worship when hem heard these words. But all he could do was to cling to the Lord. And besides, the Lord wouldn't have let him go so quickly anyway!
“Judah, I’ve been waiting for this day to be able to tell you all about my plan for your life. And you are right - I am sad. And I am longing for someone very dear to me. Actually, I’m longing for many many dear lost friends. Do you remember the baby you were just touching? That was my son, Jesus. I Am sad because I sent Him to the earth to die.”
“To die?” cried Judah
“Yes, to die.” said the Lord “And He is My only Son, Judah. But did you know there is something that makes Me even sadder?”
“What could make You sadder than losing Your only Son, Lord?” Asked Judah.
“Well I’m glad you asked. You see, Judah, that is exactly why you came here today. I want to tell you what makes me sadder than losing My son Jesus. A long time ago, I created a man named Adam and a women named Eve. They were dear to my heart. In fact, I made them to have fellowship with Me and with one another. But they sinned. They listened to my enemy Satan and decided they wanted to be in control of their own lives. I loved them so much that I let them go. I knew that if they loved Me because I made them love Me then they wouldn’t really love Me at all. So I let them make the choice whether they would love me or not. Because of their sin, I had to sacrifice some other creature to make a covering for their nakedness. For many years now I’ve had to do this. Sin always brings death - not only for the one who sins but for those who must suffer because of their sin as well. Judah, all have sinned and fall far short of My glory and goodness. That is why I sent Jesus to the earth from My heart. I let Him go. And in letting Him go gave up Myself to die once and for all for all me, women, boys, and girls. Jesus will be the sacrifice for sin. Just like Adam and Eve, Judah, sin separated all men from Me and condemned them to hell. But now, by placing all the world’s sin on Jesus-on Myself-all sin will be defeated. And by believing on My Son Jesus, all men have the choice to know Me in a very special and intimate way.”