Christmas and the Hound of Heaven

I once heard an old preacher refer to Jesus as the “Hound of Heaven.” Though the name sounds odd, he wasn’t disrespecting the Lord. In fact, it was quite the opposite. This man loved the Lord and used the name as a term of endearment.

As it turns out, Jesus has pursued this man for years. The man had wanted to live his life, on his terms, doing as he pleased. But, he always had this sense that God was after him. God desired relationship with him. God intended to save him and change him for God’s purposes. God was relentless in His chase – like a hound from heaven. God indeed caught the man and called him to the work of the pastorate.

That pastor’s testimony reminds me of Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus. Paul writes, “For (God) chose us in (Christ) before the foundations of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him,” (1:4). Before all of creation God made a claim on us for God’s purposes. God pursues us for those purposes. So, in a way, God is indeed after us like a hound of heaven.

As you continue through the Christmas season, remember God’s pursuit of His people. That baby, born two thousand years ago, is the beginning of God’s chase. God is here and God is claiming those who belong to Him. That is good news for the wayward and the lost. It is good news for all celebrating that the wonderful Hound of Heaven started His chase at Christmas.