Who is Jesus? (Advent Devotion) - Wednesday, December 5

Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. (Matthew 19:14 NIV)

A little boy, whom I didn’t know, approached the table where we were handing out mittens and books about the Christmas story.  He stood out to me for several reasons; 1) I didn’t know who he was or what family he belonged to, 2) It was a freezing cold and snowy night, and he was wearing only a light short sleeved t-shirt.  But what attracted me the most was his big eyes and his intent stare at the small books lying on my table.  Repeatedly, he left and came back, never saying a word, but staring at the books. 

Eventually, on his fourth trip to the table, I asked his name and age, and he told he was 5.  Pointing to a book with Jesus in the manger, he asked me, "Who's that?" 

I replied, “That’s the baby Jesus!”

He looked up at me with a puzzled look on his face, and so I asked, “Do you know who Jesus is?"  He shook his head to reply 'no.'

I suddenly realized how much we take for granted. We assume everyone has at least heard the name, Jesus!  I proceeded to tell him who Jesus was and why He came to earth.  I offered the book to him, and his face lit up with a huge smile. He thanked me over and over. 

He came back later with several more questions, and I sent him home with one of every storybook I had.   

It was a freezing cold night, and I thought what this little boy needed most was warm gloves. What he actually needed was to know who Jesus is. (He did get a pair of mittens, too!)

Sometimes we don’t know the importance of the seeds we sow or who will be touched by them, but Christ will use those seeds to His glory!

Heavenly Father, thank you for all your children big and small. I pray they will be drawn to you by the Holy Spirit.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Deaconess Cathy Benzler (Cherokee), Olympic Peninsula, Washington