The little wise men and the shepherds were ready. The designated donkey jockeyed his hat bearing long ears. The little boy shifted his camel hump. Joseph was bearded and standing tall. The manger was waiting and the congregation was wondering why the delay. All were antsy as the clock on the wall ticked away the day. But something very important was happening. Baby Jesus wasn’t finished eating. Mommy was so warm and nice. Finally there was a coo. It was time to go. It was a grand program.
All I ever saw of baby Jesus was the top of a tiny head with a swirl of new-born hair. It was all I needed for my memory to hear Mahalia Jackson sing Sweet Little Jesus Boy. “We didn’t know who you was.” We know now. Those tiny hands grew big and strong and were calloused from the carpenter shop. They were to hold nails so differently from what He learned from Joseph.
The angels and the universe are ready. The world strains with pain. God’s children pray. The clock in the throne room ticks away the centuries. Jesus is not yet ready but will come at the exact precise moment when all is right. He waits. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” II Peter 3:9. Just as when our baby Jesus finished his lunch so our King of King Jesus will finish His heavenly duties and as Paul describes, “In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” I Corinthians 15. Not long. Not long now
Written by Roger Bothwell on December 5, 2016
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