…and the train done gone

The people keep a comin’ and the train done gone. Do you remember an old Christmas spiritual called, Mary Had a Baby? St. Helena Island Spiritual.
“So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. And Joseph also went up …out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to … Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David.” Luke chapter 2:4.
There was a lot going on then,  and there is a lot going on now.
This story isn’t only about the past, this story is about today, right now, this very moment. Mary had a baby, yes, Lord.
It has deep soul and sweet simplicity:
 Mary had a baby, yes, Lord,
Mary had a baby, yes my Lord,
Mary had a baby, yes Lord,
People keep a-comin’ an’ the train done gone.
It has it’s own natural melody. But, I can’t stop thinking about, People keep a-comin’ an’ the train done gone.
What ever do you mean, ‘people keep a-comin’, and “What train?”, you might ask.
Well, first you’ve got to hear that Mary had a baby.  Yes, the familiar Story is told in Luke 2.
What did she name Him? Yes Lord?
What did she name Him, yes my Lord,
What did she name Him, Yes, Lord,
The people keep-a-coming but the train done gone.
“A virgin shall be with Child and they shall call His name, Immanuel.” The Book of Matthew tells us in chapter  1 verse 23.
 Immanuel means God with us. That  is His name.
The people keep a comin’ and the train done gone.
These words make perfect sense. With this world spinning out of synch these days. Just as in that hectic time of Luke 2 verse 1:  “And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.”
All the world should be registered? – The people keep a comin’ …
The word of God is living. It’s alive. It rings true yesterday, today, and forever.
‘Mary had a baby, Yes Lord…what did she name Him? Yes,  my Lord… ‘She named Him King Jesus, Yes Lord, …the people keep a coming but the train done gone.”
Days are busy. We are occupied with important things. But there is urgency in this matter – our eternity is at stake.
Perhaps you believe that there’s time to deal with this tomorrow. And why does it always have to be about Jesus? might be your question.
People here, people there, people everywhere. And, Jesus was born. Not in the inn, but the barn.
“Joseph went up … out of Nazareth to …Bethlehem … to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
The birth announcement was made to a few smelly shepherds:
“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.” Luke 2:8.
“And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” 
“I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” this is what the angel said.
 A Savior has been born. Not just for that time way back when, but today – the good tidings will bring great joy because “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…”  
“…that whosoever would believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
The Immanuel has come. He is Savior of the world. That Babe left all His glory of heaven to be born in a barn and wrapped in a few rags for me. He came down for me. He, left all of heaven and came for you…
‘Mary had a baby, Yes Lord… The King of Kings has come. The glory train arrives today. We much choose to get on.
Mary had a baby, Yes lord!
The people keep-a-coming and the train’s right here.
J