Come Lord Jesus

My father wrote this Christmas hymn many years ago. Lately, I find myself humming or singing snatches of it while I drive or feed animals.

That God Became
Henri D Pote

That God became our brother through Christ’s birth,
When in the ox-stall Mary’s Baby came,
I know – for it was Man of my own earth
That God became.

We were a needy lot, all much the same
In bitterness of heart and spirit dearth,
Though some had heard God speak to them by name.

Then in a wakening night of holy mirth,
Angels filled the sky with loud acclaim
To that wee child of fingers-spanning girth
That God became

It’s certainly related to last week’s post, though I honestly couldn’t tell you whether the song inspired the post or writing the post reminded me of the song.

Today, I feel very mixed emotions…and am shedding a few tears…as I ponder these lines. It’s been 13 months since Papa went home with Jesus.  Every Christmas, Papa and Mama would sing this song, together.  The song certainly carries nostalgia for me…but it’s so much more than just nostalgia.

It’s the message of the song…

It’s the message of my last post…which is a similar theme to the song…

It’s knowing that, today, Papa is in the arms of the Savior he trusted to get him there…

It’s knowing Papa well enough to be honest about his failings as well as his strengths and his faith…

It’s David Rupert’s post about not becoming grumpy and old…

It’s Kelli Woodford’s post about the fragility of life and the awful amazing risk of placing an infant in a manger, in a world of wolves, and trusting that infant with the eternal destiny of the human race…

It’s Rick Dawson’s post about no such thing as a true ‘cure’ in this life…

It’s Candace Jo’s post tying the first advent to the second advent…and singing “Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel” in longing for His second coming as well as in celebration of His first coming…

It’s recalling how Papa, as he aged, as he lost his hearing, as dementia began to steal his memories…how he became more thankful…more full of praise…more patient…more kind…more full of grace…more confident of God’s love…

It’s a deep thankfulness that Jesus chose to become a man…to live among us…to suffer and die for us…

It’s a deep longing to become more like Christ…recognition that I can never accomplish that…faith that He can and will accomplish it…

It’s a deep sorrow over the loss, pain and brokenness in this life…

It’s a deep joy in Christ…

It’s a deep longing for His return…

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

 

[Linked to Messy Marriage, Unforced Rythms, Wellspring ]