Down in a Lowly Manger

Last night my little ones stood proudly as they sang Go Tell It on the Mountain at the Sonlight Academy Christmas Program. Boy am I glad I have first graders; if they mess up, it is cute! And, if you know me, you know that I'm not a musician, nor a director of any sorts. Programs make me appreciate every ounce of energy people like my grandma (Gran), Mary Buckner (and friends and family-you know who you are) put into practicing, playing and singing! In the end, my class did a great job and were [of course] cute!

Today we had a shortened day of school. It was our Christmas party or "Happy Birthday Jesus" party (in our class). We read the Christmas story once again, ate Christmas cookies and students unwrapped their gifts. I always get emotional on this day. I'm not sure if it is that I get to be the one to: distribute the hours of work put into toy drives or read the messages sent from sponsors or tell the story of God coming down to us in the form of a baby [crazy]. Or maybe its that I am humbled by a group of people who live so joyfully with so little.

I was reminded by a good friend and Sonlight grad who shared a tear-filled message yesterday during our staff devotion of the HUMBLE nature of our God. These are her thoughts, matured by her lot in life. God did not choose for Christ to come to a rich home or family . He didn't give him a new crib; his first bed was an animal trough. He wasn't born in a hospital. He didn't even have a home nurse/midwife or aunt to help (as a lot of Haitians are used to). Mary was alone.

There is a maturity about those who have little. There is a connection with Christ that comes with that understanding. I see it here. It humbles me.