A Baby Changes Everything . . .

‭Matthew‬ ‭1‬:‭21‬ NLT

The anticipation and adoring of a new baby is amazing.  It doesn’t get old.  It’s new every single time.

Faith Hill’s carol sums up the sentiments of Christmas with the simple lyrics, “A baby changes everything.”  In every family, the addition of a new life brings about change, chaos and confusion . . . and it also brings about compassion, confidence and courage.

The gift of new life teaches us the value of living.

The angel of the Lord promised the birth of a son and proclaimed the coming of a Savior.

His Purpose. God has always planned our atonement, adoption and acceptance.  Paul writes,  “And God purposed that through Him (the Son) all things should be completely reconciled back to Himself, whether on earth or in heaven, as through Him, [the Father] made peace by means of the blood of His cross.” (‭Col‬ ‭1‬:‭20‬ AMP)  In our confusion, He is our calm.  In our hopelessness, He is our hope.  In our lostness, He is our life.  He is our Prince of peace.

His Plan.  Planned before the precepts of time, God’s Son would be sent to save the world.  Matthew reminds us, “All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: ‘Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” (‭Matthew‬ ‭1‬:‭22-23‬ NLT)  He plans for our eternity and for our every day.  The prophet Jeremiah assures us, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (‭Jer‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ESV)

His Passion.  God’s heart gives us our hope.  His love declares our new life and His love defines what life looks like.  John writes, “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up His life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (‭1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ NLT)

His Promise.  The promise of salvation is secured by the Sovereign.  Peter tells us, “And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” (‭2 Pet‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬ NLT)

The babe of the manger . . . purposed and planned . . . shares His passion and secures our promise.  Our lives are touched, transformed and turned around . . . forever.  He redefines everything . . . He changes everything.

‘Tis the season . . .