Advent Meditation for December 12, 2009

Day 13 – Sweet Little Jesus Boy
Scripture: Luke 4:14-21

Sweet little Jesus boy
They made you be born in a manger
Sweet little holy child
We didn't know who you were
Didn't know you'd come to save us
Lord
To take our sins away
Our eyes were blind, we could not see
We didn't know who you were

Long time ago
You were born
Born in a manger Lord
Sweet little Jesus boy
The world treats you mean Lord
Treats me mean too
But that's how things are down here
We don't know who you are

You have told us how
We are trying
Master you have shown us how
Even when you were dying
Just seems like we can't do right
Look how we treated you
But please Sir forgive us Lord
We didn't know it was you

Sweet little Jesus boy
Born a long time ago
Sweet little holy child
We didn't know who you were

Words to ponder: As the prophets foretold, Jesus was rejected throughout His life on earth. The song says that people didn’t know who He was and asks for God’s forgiveness. Are there ways in which we continue to reject Jesus?

As you can see, the format has returned to at least a resemblance of what it was, but I'm still not sure what day it is. A little earlier today I looked down at the face of my watch and realized that the date says December 10 and I laughed aloud and said, "I really don't know what day it is." What really matters is that we take time to focus on the coming of Christ, what it means and how it changes our lives forever when we realize that the baby in the manger is the Lord of all the earth. I always close with "words to ponder" to give us all something to make us think as individuals or with our families. Often the words I wrote weeks ago give me the nudge I need to re-examine my own heart.

It was a Corinth day and we're both tired. Labs were drawn and both drugs were administered. Your prayers for higher counts are being answered--mine were up a point or two even having been sick this week. The infusion room today was unusually noisy. There were new patients who talked nervously, almost incessantly; there was a 28 year old mother of a three year old; a couple of other people who are in their first rounds, still waiting to see what their side effects will be and wondering where to find the best wigs and what to take for nausea. Those are the ones I tell Tom try to "outsick" each other. Some days I want to stand in the middle of the room, get everyone's attention and tell them of the hope we have because of our trust in a compassionate, mighty God; the peace we have because of that hope; and the joy that is ours because of that hope and peace. My Advent sermons have called my attention to those gifts and how each depends on the other. So, dear friends, have hope that brings peace and great joy!

Blessings,
Pastor Margaret