therefore you too have grief now

Between this and this, it's clear that this season isn't one of sadness just for me. While Joseph and Mary had it rough, I contend that they didn't know that the ending of the path that began with the announcement of their special Son would be Golgotha. So their love was not conflicted with sadness but rather of wonder and awe and pride.

But the Father knew. The Father knew with joy that His plan to save the world was nigh. The Father knew with love that His obedient Son would save the entire universe. The Father knew with justice and righteousness that Satan would not have dominion for eternity.

But the Father knew with sadness as He placed the child into the manger that the end would be aloneness on a hill and separation and great hurt. And all the victory in the world cannot erase that fact from the loving hands placing Him into that manger.