Advent 4 Wednesday - Joy Of A New Baby

 Advent 4 Wednesday - Joy Of  A New Baby

I wonder what people said on the day that we were born.  With very few exceptions there is great joy, and great wonder at the appearance of a new little baby full of life, with 5 little fingers and 5 little toes and all the little wrinkles and miniature markings. 

Some folks have names picked out in advance for their baby and others wait, knowing that the personality of that little one will somehow point to the right name.  We have hopes and dreams for this new little life. 

Regardless of the twists and turns and the ups and the downs of our life since the day of our birth, God’s design for us remains constant.  He has a perfect plan for us that He is ready and able to bring about whether we are 18 or 81. 

John the Baptist was a person used by God to get people ready for the coming of Jesus to earth to give them new life. John’s message was one of repentance and preparation for the way of the Lord. 

“And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”

Luke 1:76-79

Loving God, This Christmas season and in the coming year we want to grow in our life with You as we share the message of how You have changed our lives. 

We have found forgiveness, experienced Your tender mercy, seen light, and been guided into the path of peace. 

As we continue our journey help us to share our story of Your transforming power and goodness to us, and by doing so, help others to open their hearts to Your redeeming power.

Thank You for making us awake and alive to You. We give You permission to fulfill Your purpose for our lives each day.

Live in us that we may have life in You. Help us to share the message of Your forgiveness and healing with those we meet on my journey.

In these days as we approach Christmas, help us to consider again how Your love and forgiveness has changed us and brought us peace.  Fill our hearts with gratitude that overflows in joyful sharing with others. 

We want our lives to echo the words of the joyful Christmas song:

Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere.  Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.  Amen