WHERE'S THE LINE TO SEE JESUS?

Last Friday night Carol and I entered our mini-float of a simple nativity in the Parade of Lights here in the retirement park where we live during the winter. Of all the entries, ours was the only one that reminded folks this time of year was about Jesus' birth, not Santa Claus, elves, decorated trees or silly costumes. It reminded me how far removed we've come from the true story of Christmas, Jesus' birth at Bethlehem.

Then today a friend sent me a story about singer Becky Kelley. While at the mall a couple of years ago with her four year old nephew, Kelley, the boy and his Mom watched as children lined up to see Santa Claus. Having been taught that Christmas is the time Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, the boy asked, "Where's the line to see Jesus?" The boy's innocent question stayed with the two women until they came home.

They mentioned this to their song-writer father, who quickly jotted down some lines, wrote music to the words, and did a recording of the song at his home studio. His friends loved the song, so he sent the recording off to Nashville where a Christian song writer suggested some changes. Becky's Dad then asked her to record the song, and the new demo tape was sent again to Nashville.

But there was no response until two weeks before Christmas when Becky's cousins decided to do a YouTube video of it. It went, as they say, "VIRAL!" The first day their new YouTube had 3000 hits and it soared from there, bringing them e-mails, phone calls and Facebook messages, all asking for the music, CD's, iTunes, anything.

If you haven't yet heard this fine song, you can hear it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=OExXItDyWEY&vq=medium

With all the commercialism at this time of year, it's easy to forget why it all started. "Where's the line to see Jesus?" is a question we all should ask. We actually can answer it by going to church during midweek Advent services, or attending Sunday morning services, Christmas and New Year's services. That's where we all can get in line to see Jesus. 

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given...And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6-7)

(MY seven E-BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE AT: http://www.amazon.com/ or http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

Type "Robert Tasler" in the search box)