For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace… The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this>” Isaiah 9: 6-7
This little one, carried on the back of her sister, was attending the dedication of the Ki-Tharaka Bible. It was a precious moment for her people - in many ways, the birth of the Word in their community - in the year 2019!
Hope looms large for all of us in the human family. We look for it everywhere… often in the faces of children; perhaps most poignantly during the Christmas season. As I reflect on 2019, I realize how much I’ve enjoyed meeting children all over the world. Lots of faces, families, and communities to consider. All of them with their own stories. All of them with their hopes and dreams.
Davis (in the center), and I visited the Samburu community in June of 2019. The Scriptures were completed and dedicated in their community this year. Just imagine what this will mean to these precious children.
For me, the thought of a child, a son, the Christ-child, has been heart-expanding. In it is all the realization of promise, faithfulness, and fulfillment. Majesty and Wonder come to mind. God’s promise, and promises, are trustworthy. The most powerful demonstration is Jesus - the uncontested and overwhelming pinnacle of the human spirit, of divine life, redemption, and forgiveness — and all this wrapped up in the reality of a promised child.
This beautiful, young girl was selling flowers on a street corner in Guatemala. We later discovered that she is the daughter of one of our Bible translation team members… this just made her smile even sweeter.
I’ve been learning to look for Jesus in the face of others. Mother Teresa encouraged us along this line as we develop a contemplative spirit. She described it this way, “Seeking the face of God in everything, everyone, all the time, and his hand in every happening; This is what it means to be contemplative in the heart of the world. Seeing and adoring the presence of Jesus, especially in the lowly appearance of bread, and in the distressing disguise of the poor.”
These rambunctious Aztec boys live, work, and play in the mountains of Mexico, near Zacatlan. I met them while visiting the Bible translation team in their community… and enjoyed local tamales and coffee too :)
I love this focus - I’m working on getting in tune with this - seeing the Lord in others. It’s a growing pursuit. Sometimes I connect the dots quicker when I see children. That’s part of what draws me back to the beauty of a child, a promised son who was given.
This traditional youth choir, from Indonesia, opened the gathering that I served this year in Jakarta. The children sang and danced, sharing Scripture songs with traditional stringed instruments - joyfully celebrating God’s Word.
A child shall lead them. I hope my heart and eyes continue opening to the face of Christ in others. Blessings to you in this holy season. Merry Christmas - may it be full of wonder, majesty, and grace.