Sweet Little Jesus Boy

I recently read that the above-named song “embraces the relationship between slave and Savior better than any of the surviving spirituals.” Written and sung by African-American slaves in the centuries before the Civil War, it considers the life of Christ as viewed through the eyes of humanity which failed to recognize Him, the pre-existent One for who He was, is, and shall always be: “..the eternally blessed God.” (Romans 9:4) Christ’s birth in a stable and the world’s cluelessness of His identity were factors with which many African American slaves could readily relate! Furthermore, it’s not too big a stretch to conclude that slaves probably understood better than free persons of their time Christ’s pain at being harshly treated by His own people! That they understood and related to Christ’s experience of this sin-sick world is sorrowfully reflected in the lines, “[They] treat me mean, too. But that’s how things is down here.”

This poignant classic spiritual goes deeper in its doctrinal integrity by proclaiming our utter inability to measure up to our holy Lord’s standard of continuously perfect conduct. (Romans 3:10; 1 Peter 1:15, 16) “Just seem like we can’t do right; look how we treated you.” The slave writer of this song, however, suggests in its words that he knew that forgiveness was to be found only in his Savior Jesus Christ; he knew that through trusting in this blessed One, the ultimate Christmas Gift could be experienced both now on earth and forevermore in heaven.

PRAYER: Dear Abba, thank You for sending Your only begotten Son to this world that yet bears the curse of Genesis 3, to save whosoever will believe on His sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection for their  personal sins, of which we all are guilty. Enable us to live daily in the light of Whose we are! You have indeed “shown us how!” In Christ’s name, Amen!
By Sis. Denise Diggs