Do you hear what I hear?

Have you ever started to tell a story and half way through you realize you have

already told it? We have a sign in our family for those moments, the sign is to raise your

hand when you realize “I have heard this before!”. We have on occasion, burst into

laughter when someone would start to tell a story and in unison the family raises their

hands to stop them. Without a “sign” like ours, most people listen but tune out or will

respond in a programed polite manner till it is over.

How many times have you heard the story of Christ coming into this world as a

babe wrapped in swaddling cloth and laid in a manger? Instead of raising our hands this

year with a “I’ve heard this before” attitude, lets try to really listen to what God is telling

us. This is not just a story, this is the very Word of God being spoken into flesh and

entering into our world. This is a story about The Light of this World breaking through

the darkness of night, so that our own soul’s darkness could receive light.

Enter the story this season as the wise men did bringing gifts to the one who gave us His

all. Enter the story as shepherds worshiping a babe or Mary storing up treasures in her

heart. But, whatever you do, enter, engage and hear The Word that our God deems worthy

to tell and tell again.

Just as the wise men brought gifts

Giving them to the baby Jesus

Laying their treasures in the darkness

At the feet of Light

So I come to you

Giving you my heart

Break through my night

Just as the shepherds came to kneel

Bowing before the baby Jesus

Adoring, worshiping the shepherd

Born to be their King

So I kneel before you

Worshiping my King

Come shepherd me

Just as Mary pondered these things

Full of wonder with baby Jesus

Cuddling God’s promise in her arms

Vulnerability

I am full of wonder

Holding to you tight

Reborn in thee

King of Light

Come shepherd me

Hold me tight in my vulnerability

I worship and adore you-

I’m reborn in thee

cjb

Dear Lord,

Help me to have ears to hear your story afresh, shedding some new light on that which is

familiar. May my response to your story please your heart. Amen