On December 8th, my goddaughter gave birth to her first child, a son. What a wonderful and joy-filled blessing this was for her and her husband. It was also a joyful experience for those of us who love this couple and wish for them God’s richest blessings. Seeing the early pictures of this beautiful gift from the Lord was truly heart-warming for me, and it caused me to wonder what special plans the Creator has for this precious package.
Maybe the reason this particular thought struck me, as I viewed these pictures, had to do with the fact we were drawing ever closer to the celebration of the birth of Jesus. On the announcement, to Mary, by an angel, that she would bear a son, the angel also added the news, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, he will be a king, as His ancestor David was, and he will be a king of the descendants of Jacob forever, his kingdom will never end”. In hearing such words from God’s messenger, Mary must have wondered what amazing things this child would accomplish!
Then, forty days after Jesus’ birth, Joseph and Mary took their baby, to the Temple, to do what the Law of Moses demanded. It was there these new parents met, Simeon, a devout man of God. Simeon blessed them and shared these words, “This child is chosen by God for the falling and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed, so that thoughts from many hearts will be revealed.”
God had a special plan, a mission, that only Jesus could fulfill. For through Him alone would come the salvation of the world, which had been promised clear back in the Garden of Eden. This tiny infant had the weight of the sins of all mankind, on His shoulders, from the time He entered this world in the flesh. Yet, no one, other than God Himself, could have ever imagined for this very purpose this precious baby was born! Thank you God for Your plan, and purpose, for Your beloved Son and our Savior, Jesus!
Yes, God works in amazing ways, and I am truly anxious to see what great and glorious things the Lord has in store for this newborn child of my goddaughter and her husband. God knew this little one before it was conceived, and we get the blessed opportunity of seeing how He will use him, to His glory and for the blessing of many!
Pastor McCarty
