A Child is born to us

I was enjoying dinner with friends when a text popped up on my phone. It was a message from my friend Nick, announcing that his baby girl had arrived. I was so happy to hear she was safely here.

Soon enough, Nick sent a photo and a full update with her name, her birth weight, and the exact time of her arrival. What a wonderful relief that everyone was safe and healthy. I turned my phone toward my friends to show them the photo, and everyone oohed and aahed over this precious little one.

We all smiled to think of the wonder of this baby girl who had arrived within the hour, born while we were chatting away.

There is nothing like the happy news of a brand-new baby. Every birth brings such wonderful excitement. There’s something especially joyful about a baby coming during the Advent and Christmas seasons.

God could have sent His Son to our world in a thousand different ways. But He chose to send him as a baby boy, welcomed into a family, born in a humble stable, surrounded by animals, greeted by shepherds, and announced by angels.

The buzz of a text might not be a sky full of angels or a beckoning star, but the news still carries wonder and joy. We don’t need angels or a beckoning star to remind us that every baby is a gift, not just to a family, but also to the world. And the announcement of a newborn baby always feels like such a miracle.

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:5)

As we welcome Jesus into our hearts this Christmas, may we experience the wonder that comes with the birth of a child, the awesomeness of the miracle that is God made man, and the joy that comes with the greatest gift God can give—His only Son, love manifest in our world.

Merry Christmas.

The image at the top is hanging in our house and purchased from Uncut Mountain Supply. I wish I could identify the artist.

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