Don’t Fence Me In

I just had another wonderful visit with my sweet and godly mother, Sarah Mae Davis Loftin in Jackson, MS. She loves to talk about her only son, and I love to listen. Mama told me something about my childhood that I had never heard. “No fence could hold you back,” she said.

When I was 4 years old Mama convinced Daddy to build a fence around our small back yard. She desperately needed a place to send me where I could burn off some energy during the day. Mama remembers Daddy working hard all day, with my help. Just as he was finishing the last section, Mama looked up and saw me scaling the new fence on the way to my friend Tommy’s house. “James, you always had places to go.”

I’m still trying to go beyond the “fences.”

My favorite Christmas carol is Go Tell It on the Mountain. Christmas without this song is just not Christmas. If the birth of Jesus is really good news of great joy for all people, we have to take this announcement beyond the fences of our own family, comfort and culture.

Although the history of slavery in America is painful and ugly, God’s grace prevails in even the most sinful and dehumanizing situations. Upon their arrival in America many African slaves learned about the birth of a Savior who would set all men free. Amazingly, some slaves were able to separate this gracious truth from the inhumane treatment they received from the very people that delivered the Good News. In keeping with their African traditions, the slaves sang and danced about the miracle of Jesus. One of the songs that emerged was Go Tell It on the Mountain.

Although we celebrate the birth of Jesus year after year, over 2 billion people have not heard the news of His coming. For the glory of God and the good of those who have yet to hear the angel’s message, let us sing the Good News from whatever “mountaintop” we have. And if you can dance, then dance. Beyond any fences of fear, pc-ness, comfort, prejudice or doubt, let’s sing:

Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.

What are some ways you are creatively telling the message this year?

What are some fences that are trying to keep you quiet?

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2 Responses to “Don’t Fence Me In”

1. Jean Jordan says:

   December 18, 2009 at 3:45 pm

   Hi James – love the story and certainly remember that precious picture of you!

   Have a Merry Christmas!

   Jean Jordan

   Reply
2. Laralee says:

   December 29, 2009 at 4:53 pm

   Praying for you and your sweet Mama today…

   Reply