I don’t think there’s a parent in this country who hasn’t been affected emotionally by the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. I look at those little faces and my heart bleeds.
My husband and I have shed tears together for those lost. We’ve prayed together over it. And we’ve protected our children from the news.
We have a 1st grader. A precious, innocent 6-year-old. So when I think about those parents who will be irrevocably changed this Christmas, I can only beg God for his mercy, and thank him for the grace that he now holds those children in his arms.
This Christmas holds a lot of emotion for me. With my heart hurting for those in need all over the nation, I think of all the senseless violence committed against children every day in this country. All those thousands of abortions come to mind.
I’m carrying a son this holiday season. As I feel him move inside me, I think of Mary and all the emotions she must have felt knowing that the birth of her child was imminent–fear, trepidation, anxiety. Becoming a parent for the first time can be overwhelming. Think about becoming a parent for the first time–to the son of God.
And yet, Mary knew some truths. She would nurture and care for him. She would love him and hold him. And when he became a man, he would change the world. May we all believe that our children have the opportunity to change the world for God through his son.
Perhaps if we can raise godly children who have hearts that desire to share the Gospel, and better yet, make disciples in all nations, we can reach the broken and the lost. We’ll never destroy all of the evil in the world–that’s God’s department– but we can possibly prevent some of these tragedies by showing people how to truly follow a living God.
This song, called Be Born In Me, is from The Story. It’s sung by Francesca Battistelli. It moves my heart every time I hear it.
I’ll hold you in the beginning, you will hold me in the end.
He is the light of the world and he came to save us all. Happy Birthday, Jesus. You are the greatest present we’ve ever received and may you be born in us all.
Merry Christmas!
Love,
Hale and Hearty Words 