“Away in a manger
No crib for a bed
The Little Lord Jesus
Lay down his sweet head
The stars in the sky
Look down where he lay
The Little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay.”

Why would anyone give up everything to take on nothing? Mark 1:40, 41 tells of a leper who came to Jesus and asked for help. The Message paraphrase describes that Jesus was deeply moved and said, “I want to.”
It dawned on me the reason God came to earth born of a virgin, grew up as a carpenter’s son, and then faced the most horrific death sentence as an innocent man was because he wanted to. Glory be to God, I’m on my way to Heaven because Jesus wanted to pay the penalty for my sin to ensure I spend eternity with Him.
Advent means “coming” in Latin. He is coming! Let us honor this month and sacred season of Advent by preparing our hearts for Him because we want to.

“The cattle are lowing
The poor baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying he makes
I love thee Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle
‘Til morning is nigh.”

Michele Heintz
Chief Spiritual Care Officer