A new baby in the family
One of the highlights of being with my brother and his family on Thanksgiving Day was holding little Elsie Jeanne, our eighth great-niece, born on Nov. 8. As I held Elsie, many thoughts came to my mind about babies.
First, there is the promise of a baby. My niece and her husband announced that they were expecting their second child last spring. There were many weeks of waiting in anticipation for the arrival of little “Who’s it.” We had a small family lunch/shower at the Pizza Kitchen in Bakersfield, where niece Hayley, received lots of pink things.
“If it’s a boy, he is just going to have to wear pink for awhile,” laughed Hayley. The due date passed with no news, while Al and I prayed and wondered. Finally, the long-awaited phone call came. The ultrasounds had correctly shown it to be a girl. Both mother and baby were doing fine. Praise the Lord!
Then, there is the miracle of a baby from conception to birth. Hayley and I talked about this wonderful miracle on Thanksgiving Day, as I held Elsie and we looked down at her perfect little head. How amazing!
The arrival of a baby brings about major adjustments for the family. Even big sister Maddie (almost 2 years old) will have to get used to Hayley’s dividing her attention between Maddie and the baby.
It is amazing to consider the potential of a new baby. Parents, friends and family watch a new life begin and wonder what kind of person this will be and what the future holds for her.
Finally, there is the joy comes with the blessing of this new life. The pangs of sorrow felt over the past year from family members who are no longer with us are softened by her arrival. Love continues on, as does life.
Joseph and Mary were chosen to be the parents of a very special son. They too experienced the promise of a baby. But their child would be God’s son, the Jewish Messiah who had been anticipated for centuries. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.” (Isaiah 9:6 NIV)
The miracle of this baby came from divine intervention, as announced to Mary by the angel Gabriel.
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
And Gabriel’s answer was astounding. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1: 34-35 NIV)
The arrival of the baby Jesus would bring major adjustments for his family as well. He was most likely born in a cave near the town of Bethlehem and placed in a manger. Jesus’ birth was heralded by angels; shepherds left their flocks out in the field and came to worship him. “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby who was lying in the manger.” (Luke 1:16 NIV)
The potential of this baby was recognized by Simeon, Anna and the wise men as the promised Messiah. “In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” (John 1:4 NIV)
And the joy of Jesus’ birth has continued through the centuries. Death has lost its grip on mankind; God’s love continues on…as does life in and through Jesus. May the celebration of his birthday on Dec. 25 bring great joy to you and your family. Merry Christmas!
You can read more at Judy’s blog, goodnewswithjudy.blogspot.com.
