"As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it"  -  Luke 19:41 

The Christmas season brings out the best and worst in all of us. Crowds and lines can be more frustrating than we can possibly bear. When you live in a metropolitan area as we do, the press of the city crowd can sap all the joy out of the season if you're not careful. But then, you take a moment and gaze at the faces and you're reminded that the crowd is just a lot of people... and people need the Lord.

Watch the Lord as he approaches the city of Jerusalem. While others were rejoicing and praising the Lord, Jesus saw the crowded city, and he wept over it. Think about the Lord of Glory, the Creator of the universe, the Ruler of nations, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords weeping over a city. In a city of rebellious and hard-hearted people who would hang him on a cross, Jesus saw lost people. If we will look at the crowds through the eyes of Jesus, we will see people and we too will weep because... people need the Lord.

Whether your community is small or large, it's filled with people. They are not there to make your life miserable; they are people in need,  just like you. Pray that you might see the crowds through the eyes of compassion and love them like Jesus.     --  Here's a song by Mike Otto to consider today:

"LOOKING THROUGH YOUR EYES"

"Let me see this world, dear Lord,

as though I were looking through your eyes.

A world of men who don't want you, Lord,

but a world for which you died.

Let me kneel with you in the garden.

Blur my eyes with tears of agony.

For if once, I could see this world the way you see,

I just know I'd serve you more faithfully".

Let me see this world, dear Lord,

through Your eyes when men mock your Holy Name.

When they beat You and spat upon You, Lord,

Let me love them as You loved them just the same.

Let me stand high above my petty problems,

And grieve for men, hell-bound eternally:

For if once I could see this world the way You see

I just know I'd serve you more faithfully.