Christmas Indeed!

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. Luke 2:1,4-5 (KJV) 

Christmas 2017 brought a special blessing to our family. About a week before Christmas our daughter came to visit us with the news that her mother and I were going to be grandparents for the first time in our lives. On Christmas Day, when the family was gathered together, she would announce to the rest of the family the child who would be born in the year 2018. 

There is something almost magical about the announcement of the birth of a baby. A child brings with it joy, hope, happiness, and love. And the birth of a child brings a clean slate, a fresh start in the world. One child can change the world, bringing inestimable good to mankind. Think of the birth of Mother Teresa, Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, so many individual births that brought good to peoples, nations, entire races of mankind. And of course, the greatest birth of all: Jesus! He brought salvation to an entire world! 

The announcement of my daughter being pregnant and the upcoming arrival of our first grandchild brought joy to my wife and I. Our daughter beamed with happiness, as well as her husband beside her, at the promise of their baby's birth. Such a blessing fills us all with wonder at the miracle of life and God's kindness to humanity. 

When Christ's birth was announced by angels to shepherds in a field they must have felt wonder, amazement, and joy as they looked upon the angels and heard the announcement that a special child had been born. Then they went to see the miracle for themselves. 

 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 

 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,     and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:13-15 (NIV) 

God is good to us in so many ways. Next to the gift of Jesus and promise of heaven, perhaps the greatest gift is that of children, babies born into the world with all the hope and joy they bring with them.  

No matter how old you are, or how hard your life has been, even crankiest of people when looking down upon the face of a newborn baby must smile. Babies bring joy. And Jesus's birth upon this planet brought the greatest joy of all. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, life can leave us grouchy, weary, and cynical. But the birth of a baby washes all that away in the amazing gift of life and hope we find in the face of a child. Thank You Jesus for being born upon this earth. Happy Birthday Jesus! Amen.