All creation waited, longing deeply grieved in heart and soul, eager to be reunited, reconciled, made free and whole. Then beyond all expectation God embraced the creatures' state, joined with flesh, took on our nature, spanned the breach that seemed too great. Down the ages searching prophets promised that one day would spring from the royal line of David some Messiah, some great king. Yet such gifts of faith and vision, though they deepened, changed, and grew, could not comprehend how truly God was doing something new. Adam's heir no less than David's, Jesus claimed no princely place, made his home among the humblest, one with all the human race: so the life of God's self-giving knows no bounds of class or pride, breaks down walls that separate us, joins again what we divide. Mold our lives by your love's pattern, great Restorer of Our Peace; shape and guide us by your Spirit till our hate and warfare cease; so renew our Maker's likeness that our lives in truth may be earth-born vessels of God's blessing: love that serves, renews, sets free.