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Sweet Little Jesus Boy

“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in a manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”¹

On Christmas Eve in 1934, Robert MacGimsey was walking around New York City. He heard the loud music as he walked by one bar after another, but the sounds he heard had nothing to do with the true meaning of Christmas. In fact, he found himself apologizing to Jesus because he realized how he had often left Jesus out of his celebration too. This led him to write the words to “Sweet Little Jesus Boy”. The song has since been sung by different artists, but the truth of the lyrics remain the same. These are part of the lyrics sung by Casting Crowns:

Sweet little Jesus boy, born in a manger

Sweet little Holy child, we didn’t know who You were…

Didn’t know you’d come to save us all

To take our sins away

Our eyes were blind we did not see

We didn’t know who You were.²

Jesus was born in a manger because no one had room for Him. The people of Bethlehem didn’t know that the baby born to Mary that night was indeed the Son of God. As the song says, they were blind and didn’t realize that Jesus had been born to take our sins away. The truth is, though, that it was not only the people of Bethlehem who didn’t know who Jesus was. People today still don’t know Him. Perhaps even we have forgotten about Jesus amidst our busyness. Have we allowed other things to take His place in our heart?

Let us start the new year with Jesus as our priority. Let our focus and New Year’s goal be to honor and glorify Him. May we spread the word of His Good News to all those we encounter, just as the shepherds did the night of His birth. This Sweet Little Jesus Boy came to save us all!

Suggested prayer: Lord, as this year comes to an end, I confess I have sometimes allowed other things to take Your place in my life. Help me start this coming year afresh with You as my priority. As I spend time with you and know you deeper, let my life be a light to others around me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

1.      Luke 2:16-18.

2.      Version by Casting Crowns. Song written by Robert MacGimsey, 1934.

 

Today’s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.