THE MAN FROM GALILEE

BY

Laura Lee Christian

In Bethlehem of Judea
in Israel long ago
a precious baby boy was born
he entered into a troubled world
but in his mother's tender arms
the little one knew nothing 
but love
a gentle kiss
a soft embrace
not much difference from heaven above
his tiny hands reached up
whenever he wanted comfort
and his mommy and daddy would be there
faithful to his every need
in the quietness of a stable he was born
in peace and in harmony with the animals
his innocent eyes met their's
and a mutual fullness of God's love
was felt between them both
and after the angel came
to warn them of Herod's wicked plan
quickly His mother bundled Him up
to take Him to parts unkown
He took a last look
at the friendly animals
around Him
and maybe a sad loneliness
filled their eyes
to see their blessed creator go
they longed to be near
and console Him
but close to His mother's breast
He was hurried away
to a place away from destructive eyes
a hidden cove of safety
where He grew up as a tender plant
as prophecy foretold
an excited toddler He became
and explored the world around Him
and ran into His mother's arms
to tell her of a new sight seen
or just to give her an earnest hug,
the ants and little puppy dogs
made His happy eyes dance with glee
and the tasty cooking of His mom
filled His hungry tummy
and there He grew and stretched
His "wings"
and learned how to fly
and it seemed before they knew it
it was time to return to Israel
where He grew into a strong young man
in Galilee of Palestine
in the small village of Nazareth
He learned his father's trade
a carpenter He became
how many lovely pieces of furniture
did this young man make?
people far and wide
knew of His strong virility
He had brothers and sisters now
whom He treated with kindness and love
and at some age
while He still was at home
we know His father died
so He was forced to take the reins
of His family
and all their needs supply
He was not lax
nor did he run from responsibility
in neglect or pride
but He gently took
the humble family in His arms
rocked and comforted them
He was faithful to His little crew
for many a blessed year
He washed their faces and watched them
as they grew
and soothed their every care
when they had grown
and left the nest
He knew that He could go too
and at the leading of His
Heavenly Father
He left His mother's nest too
and then He began His lonely search
for the family of mankind
and sought to take them
in His care
as He had done at His mother's house many a time,
but these were people grown and cold
and though He reached out His trusting hand
they withdrew theirs,
suspicious and hard
how He cried in His heart
and longed to hold
and care for them
as He'd done before,
and once on a sunny afternoon
after a day of toil
some mothers came with their 
little ones
and bid the gentle Savior pray
and take them in His arms
His disciples said,
"NO, go away,
the master is tired and resting.
Why would he want a bunch
of pestering children around Him?"
But the Master said with tears in His eyes,
"Please don't send them away,
I need them
I need someone who will trust me
I have so much love to give
and I long to care for all
I want to hold the little ones
as I have done before
to soothe their cares
and calm their fears
and meet their every need
but you are the ones that have
grown cold
you need to become like them
then you can open your heart to me
and I will enter in."
so up into His arms they came
happily and so trusting
and the gentle Savior laughed and cried
that day
finally he had found someone
that would come into His arms
receive His love
and touch His power
the fleeting dove from above
Let us go to Him noW
oh all mankind
don't you know He loves us
He wants us to lay aside every care
and trust Him, simply trust Him
like the little children
that came that day
and sat upon His knee
Let's go to the Master, let's go today to
the man from Galilee.

