Having been raised on the music of the 1970’s, James Taylor’s voice is near and dear to my heart.  So when I came across his Christmas Album, it had to come and join my holiday music collection. One of the songs he sings there, which was written in 1951, is “Some Children See Him”.  You may know it through another source.  The words are wonderful:

Some children see Him lily white, The baby Jesus born this night.
Some children see Him lily white, With tresses soft and fair.
Some children see Him bronzed and brown, The Lord of heav’n to earth come down.
Some children see Him bronzed and brown, With dark and heavy hair.

Some children see Him almond-eyed, This Savior whom we kneel beside
Some children see Him almond-eyed, With skin of yellow hue.
Some children see Him dark as they, Sweet Mary’s Son to whom we pray.
Some children see him dark as they, And, ah! they love Him, too!

The children in each different place   Will see the baby Jesus’ face
Like theirs, but bright with heavenly grace, And filled with holy light.
O lay aside each earthly thing   And with thy heart as offering,
Come worship now the infant King. ‘Tis love that’s born tonight!

I must admit, I’ve usually pictured the baby Jesus much more Caucasian than the child of two first Century Jewish parents might have appeared.  And yet this birth wasn’t just good news to people in Palestine, it was intended to be the birth of God’s love for people around the globe.

The angels told some Jewish shepherds out in a field:

“Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:
to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord…
(Luke 2:10-11)

Good news for all people.  That’s what the birth of Christ was and is. What an amazing and color-blind God we have to love us all so much.

Prayer

God, keep me from creating Jesus in my own image.  Help me to walk in his love in such a manner that I can love others as you love them (and me.)  Amen