Welcome to Our World

"Wouldn't this be a good time for the Messiah to come?" And so says the tailor in Fiddler on the Roof. This scene shows a community of Jewish people who are forced to leave their homes. However since the characters are Jewish I know he was referring to Christ's first coming, not the second that us Christians anticipate. For the Jews do not believe that Christ has yet come. And yet...He is here. Emmanuel has already come. I do wonder how Jews expect Him to appear--with a flash or in an overly obvious way? Ironically everyone missed his actual appearance. Only animals and shepherds were there to witness His cries and first breaths.

How I wish we could have known and seen it:
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Lk. 2:8-14)

I fear that even among us that talk about the "reason for the season" we fail to remember what the reason was. It's not just about a little baby in a manger, though that is a start. It is what that baby was to become: "a Savior".

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 injuried 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.
by Michael W. Smith