A Baby Changes Everything~

Greetings,

The Christmas season is upon us, and I love it.  I enjoy crowds, I don’t mind long lines (it gives me a chance to people watch), and the decorations put me in such a great mood!  Speaking of decorations, my tree is already up, and it’s fun to discover new ornaments that I bought last year at 90% off that I had totally forgotten.  And then there are all the ornaments I have collected for over 30 years.  One, in particular, is so sweet.  It’s a little clay creation featuring Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus.  The inscription is simple: “A Baby Changes Everything.”

Oh yes, it does!  Ask my grandbaby’s parents.  No more sleeping whenever.  No more getting ready without one thousand and one interruptions.  And let’s not get started on the never-ending cycle of feeding, diaper changes, and trying to keep baby entertained, and the money they spend to accomplish all the aforementioned.  The weight of the responsibility can be overwhelming. And yet, EVERYTHING changes for the better. 

The depth of love and patience one discovers when a child is born is miraculous.   The joy at the smallest of accomplishments (i.e. rolling over, crawling, babbling…) is incalculable.  And never have I seen more happiness than when mom, dad, and baby are together and making each other laugh.  Most importantly is that this new mommy and daddy are learning to cover every aspect of my granddaughter's life in prayer. Even so, there’s only one baby Whose birth has had the most profound effect on human history – Who changed everything for everyone: JESUS!

Only He is the Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, King of kings, Teacher, and The Truth. Only He is the Bread of Life, Light of the World, and our Savior. 

Because of His birth, we have peace, guidance, health, hope, light, faith, love, and joy. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for sending us Your Son.  His birth has changed our lives for the good, and it’s the Gift that keeps on giving.   Every day we need all the blessings Christ offers us.  In His sacred name, we pray, AMEN. 

Prepare for God's Arrival

“Prepare for God’s arrival! [clear away the obstacles]; Make the road straight and smooth” (Isaiah 40:3).

Greetings,

In less than two weeks a little baby will be joining our family, and we have been busy preparing for months!  The nursery is painted, the diapers and burp cloths are neatly stacked on the changing station, along with every conceivable lotion and potion, and all the clothes and shoes are organized by size in the closet.  There has been a meet and greet with a pediatrician, a government-approved car seat has been installed in the car, and there are enough toys to stimulate the baby’s brain for years.

Also, the mommy-to-be has been keeping up with all doctor visits, and was even taking pre-natal vitamins behind my back for the past couple of years! Talk about being prepared!

Imagine if none of the above had taken place yet, or if we waited to start doing it all until a couple days before the birth? It would be reckless and irresponsible!

God is on His way as well, and we have things to do to be ready to receive Him.  We must clear away anything that stands in His way. Sometimes it’s busyness, and sometimes it’s harboring unforgiveness.  Whatever is blocking our relationship with God needs to be purged and removed. 

Being prepared makes for a beautiful and easier arrival. 

God is giving is a choice in how easy or how hard we want to make it for Him to get to us.  I hope we are all saying “YES!” to making it straight and smooth because in doing that, God will get to us in a jiffy.     

PRAYER: Dear Lord, How wonderful that right now as we pray, we are preparing for You in our lives.  Come to us, precious Lord, and bless us and our families.  Grant us wisdom, health, peace, joy, and hope.  In Christ’s name, AMEN!