What We're Learning....

This week and next, Kids Klub children are learning about a few of the names of Jesus while we study the Christmas story. Yesterday's name was Immanuel, as depicted by the fine coloring skills of these kindergarteners and 1st graders.

As I tried to get the wheels turning in the brains of the 2nd graders I taught yesterday evening, I asked them how God (in heaven) could come to where we are (on earth) so that we could see Him. We know He came as a little baby, but why wouldn't the God of heaven come with fanfare like a superhero?

One of my favorite Christmas songs explores this theme:

How should a King come?
Even a child knows the answer, of course.

In a coach of gold, with a pure white horse,

In the beautiful city in the prime of the day.

And the trumpets should cry and the crowds make way,

And the flags fly high in the morning sun,

And the people all cheer for the sovereign one.

And everyone knows that's the way that it's done.

That's the way that a King should come.

How should a King come?

Even a commoner understands.

He should come for His treasures, and His houses and lands.

He should dine upon summer strawberries and milk,

And sleep upon bedclothes of satin and silk.

And high on a hill His castle should glow,

With the lights of the city like jewels below.

And everyone knows that's the way that it's done.

That's the way that a King should come.

How should a King come?

On a star-filled night into Bethlehem,

Rode a weary woman and a worried man.

And the only sound in the cobblestone street,

Was the shuffle and the ring of their donkey's feet.

And a King lay hid in a virgin's womb,

And there were no crowds to see Him come.

At last in a barn in a manger of hay,

He came, and God incarnate lay.

And the angels cried, "Glory, glory to God!"

Earth was silent so heaven rang, "Glory, glory to God!"

Men were dumb so the angels sang, "Glory, glory to God!"

Peace on earth, good will to men, "Glory, glory to God!"

- Carol & Jimmy Owens

Humbly, simply, deliberately, He came -- and in His coming said, "I choose to identify with you, to cry, to laugh, to get dirt underneath My toenails, to be a child, a teenager, an adult, to attend church and weddings and funerals, to be tempted, betrayed, forsaken.

A paraphrase of Hebrews 4:15-16 says it this way: "We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all -- all but the sin. So let's walk right up to Him and get what He is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help."