Sweet Little Jesus Boy - Casting Crowns

Sweet little Jesus boy,

born in a manger

Sweet little Holy child,

we didn't know who You were

In September we visited Tucson, AZ. In that desert region indigenous plants have prickers. It is a protective mechanism in nature. Life conditions are harsh and they protect their hoarded moisture.

This song, sung by Casting Crowns today, sings:

This world treats You mean Lord

Treats me mean too

But that's how things are done down here

We didn't know it was You

Conditions in this world are harsh. This song, an old Spiritual from Slave days in our land, reflects the cruelty of life. Life has its seasons. Some seasons like winter, are bleak, dark and cold. Sometimes the holidays themselves become a time of depression.

Galatians 4:3 (NLT)

And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world.

But Emmanuel, ("God with us") has come into the world. Can you believe it? He came to experience the harshness of life, the anger, the abuse and pain of this world. He truly wanted to be with us and understand our world. And ultimately to experience death by wicked hands. As a perfect sacrifice for all our sins.

Ephesians 2:16 (The Message)

Christ brought us together through his death on the cross. The Cross got us to embrace, and that was the end of the hostility. Christ came and preached peace... Through him we both share the same Spirit and have equal access to the Father.

As I meditate on the Sweet Little Jesus Boy, one word comes to my mind.

Thankful.