MABUNE NO NAKANI

"Away In a Manger" was written in English, but I found out this year that "Mabune no Nakani" (In a Manger) was written originally in Japanese. When the congregation sang it, the pastor wrote it out in Romaji (Romanized reading of Japanese) so English-readers could sing along too. Isn't it awesome the God of all creation bent down to redeem humanity...of any tongue or tribe?

And any type of musical instrument too. For Sunday morning's special music, the youngest handbell player missed her cue for when she was to come in. But no problem; the choir just kept playing on Joyce's direction, and she came in the next time around. 

The sacrifice of praise Sunday was offered by guitar, ukulele, and handbells as well as singing. But as can be seen by the photograph, all is possible because we are meeting at the foot of the cross (you can barely see the symbol of one there). The Japanese writing on the plaque is the verse: "I am the way, the truth, and the life."

Jesus--the One Who became the Son of man for us that He might be the Door for us to Eternal Life...yes, that little baby in the manger at the beginning of the post! (For those of you who have been following since my last blog, that picture was done last year for a friend who asked for a simple drawing of "baby in manger" for children at an orphanage.)

Even as an Infinite God filled a wooden cradle with Love 2000 years ago, may He peer down into your life and fill your heart with Love today. MERRY CHRISTMAS.