What would Christmas be without children?  I am often amazed, softened and challenged by thoughts that go through their minds and out of their mouths.

Micah’s dad, Justin (or Gus…he goes by both), shared about a conversation with Micah (4) that took place earlier this week during a family devotional.   Justin shared:

 We were discussing the birth of Jesus – naturally – and I asked him, “Buddy, you know how Jesus is a king?”  He nodded. 

I continued, “Well most kings in Jesus’ time were born in big castles and they had real beds and lots of people helping them when they were born.” 

He nodded again and I said, “Well, if God can do anything – which he can – why wouldn’t he have made it so his son was born in a big castle like other kings instead of in a barn with animals and without even a bed?”

Micah thought about it for half a second and then he said, “Well castles are far away from the people and Jesus needed to be down near the people so he could see them and so he could know who he needed to rescue because that is why he was born, to rescue people”

As I wrapped gifts in the kitchen this evening I kept this  in my heart as I listened to Christmas carols. Two of my favorites played.  One, entitled “Welcome to Our World,” expresses well Micah’s observations.

I pondered what it must have felt like for Jesus to leave heaven’s perfection and arrive in a (too often) war-torn, hate filled, and messed up world.  Consider these lyrics:

Welcome to Our World, by Chris Rice:

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from god
You’ve been promised, we’ve been waiting
Welcome holy child
Welcome holy child

Hope that you don’t mind our manger
How I wish we would have known
But long awaited holy stranger
Make yourself at home
Please make yourself at home
Bring your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
World now breaking heaven’s silence
Welcome to our world
Welcome to our world

Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
Unto us is born
So wrap our injured flesh around you
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect son of God
Perfect son of God
Welcome to our world

The next song brought tears to my eyes—“O Holy Night” written by Adolphe Adams.

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn’
Fall on your knees, O hear the angels’ voices
O night divine, O night when Christ was born

Because Jesus was willing to come and live among the people, he knows us—he know me.

Because he came…

Our souls can finally feel their worth.  They are worth his birth and his death. Amazing.

What a thrill of hope—and reason to celebrate this brings.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas.

May we “fall on our knees” in wonder and gratitude.