Many Happy Returns

'For the Son of man is come

to seek and to save that which was lost.'

~Luke 19:10~

What changed in your life because someone was born?

My sister was born with I was three, but I remember apprehension, excitement, nervousness, and sadness when the nurse took her away to be bathed. All my emotions reserved for my parents and grandparents were now extended to another person. Someone I laugh with, annoy and tease, argue and cry with, but still sneak in a hug whenever I can!

My baby cousin (before he was six feet tall!) was born when I was ten, turning my sister and I into relentless doting 'aunts'. We fed him, dressed him up, and only let him fall down the stairs twice! His birth excited us, spurring purpose and joy at our family's turn to babysit him (only I'm guessing Mom changed most of the diapers).

A lot of my high school weekends become full when a family had a new baby for me to watch. I took on responsibility for a little person (or three), which included taking cute pictures, enforcing time outs and feeding schedules, buckling in car seats, and risking a heart attack whenever one of them got hurt.

Point being, everything about your actions and thoughts shift when a new personality is introduced. Consider that change... and then magnify it times a thousand. That's the change that came into the world with the birth of Jesus Christ. The angels were bursting with song, lowly shepherds had tears in their eyes, and wise men's hearts were humbled. They were all moved, recognizing that something great had taken place. Over two thousand years and His birth is still moving people because the purpose of His coming has not dampened. His conquer over death became our rescue from our sins.

Mercy, love, hope, comfort, and even courage... all because of a baby's birth in a stable. It continues to move me... my prayer is that it reaches you this Christmas. And that you grab it and hold on for all the future seasons of your life.

'This is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us.

This is the Lord; we have waited for Him, 

and we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.'

~Isaiah 25:9~

Merry Christmas!