shareyourstorynow.org

“Christmas Joy: The Birth of Life”

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

[Isaiah 7:14 NIV]

Abby, our program manager, writes:

I can still remember the day that my niece was born as if it were yesterday. The morning of September 7th we all marched over to the hospital to meet up with my sister-in-law, my brother and my very anxious 3-year-old nephew, who could not stop boasting that soon he would be a big brother.

The entire nursery was buzzing with whispers, laughter and pacing from our family. The grandparents waited near the window to catch a glimpse of the new addition to our family. After an hour of waiting, there she was in all her glory. This precious, crying, bundle of joy.

All of us felt we couldn’t love something so small so much. It was a burst of energy that exploded in the room. The cameras zoomed and snapped the best possible picture of this new baby girl.

My brother could not believe his eyes and my nephew was jumping up and down trying to see who he was a big brother to. When she was finally brought to the room where my sister-in-law was, my nephew (along with the rest of the family) had completely fallen in love.

That moment often made me think of the birth of Jesus and the moments leading up to it. The thoughts both Mary and Joseph had … their family members, their friends and their neighbors. It was
different.

I can imagine the remarks, “A virgin giving birth?” “How is this possible?” “Surely she is lying!” Within Mary’s heart, the purest of joy and love for her baby and yet having to flee in order to save the life of her unborn child. Joseph carrying on this responsibility of becoming a father to a son he did not help conceive, the Son of the Most Holy.

I can almost imagine that the moment Mary gave birth though, that burst of excitement and joy flooded the manger. In that most intimate moment, the Holy Lamb had been born to save humanity. WOW! Just writing it brings tears to my eyes.

This holiday season is filled with thoughts of finding that perfect present for loved ones, how many stockings we have to fill, Christmas cards we have to send and the list can truly go on and on. Trust me; it’s on my mind too!

I want to challenge you though to take a moment during this season to really think about the “reason for the season.” A small bundle of joy came in all innocence to die for our sins and live selflessly so that we may have eternal life. It’s amazing isn’t it?

Hope you and your loved ones have a Christmas to remember!