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From A Grandma’s Perspective

See Ya Next Year!

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

John 1:14

It was a week after Christmas and Emily had come to my house.  She very quickly missed the beautiful magnetic manger scene that had been displayed on the refrigerator door during the Christmas holidays.  The conversation that followed went something like this:

I instantly knew I had a story to write.  As each word fell out of my mouth it sounded ominously hollow and yet so painfully true.  It doesn’t take a lot of discussion to know that is how much of the so-called Christian community treats Jesus.  He is an object to be adored and displayed at the appropriate time but then safely tucked back into a box for the next worthy occasion.

John warns us further, “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.  He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God, to those who believe on His name.”

Jesus became human flesh and for a short period of time lived among family and community teaching and exemplifying the kingdom of God. He, who knew no sin, dwelt among us, bore our sin with his death and rose again giving eternal life to those who receive and believe in Him.  He desires to live within our hearts.  Jesus is not a nomad wondering to and fro. Jesus is not a guest coming for Christmas dinner.  Jesus is the spirit of the Living God dwelling within our hearts.

I think of the simple words to the song Into My Heart.

Into my heart, into my heart, come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

Come into today; come in to stay.  Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

 I think I’ll get Baby Jesus out of the box and restore Him to His rightful place on the refrigerator door!  Lord Jesus, let it be a reminder to me that you are dwelling in my heart and home all year.

Pat Hertzler

January 5, 2003

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