Part 3 in our 12 Days of Christmas series

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (Dec. 27, 2014) – The birth of a child is a gift. Whenever we hold an infant in our arms, we know that God is good and a miracle has arrived. This time of year we focus much on one particular birth, the one in which Luke 2:11 says, "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

Jesus’ birth is the beautiful beginning to our church calendar, helping us refocus on the one gift where our hearts truly belong. 

This year, a few days before Christmas, my family welcomed home our second son. Samantha and I are overwhelmed by the love God has for us and for the miracle of an addition to our family. We have a magnet on our refrigerator that says, "A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on." We felt so very blessed to bring our little one home, and we know God is still working on this world so our children might know and believe in His love -- the love we celebrate this season.

God called many to the task of leadership of His people, but when He sent His Son, Jesus, He sent us a child. That child would grow and learn and live just as we all do, but would ultimately show the greatest love of all by offering himself as the way for us to be united to the Father.

I can't imagine Mary understanding or knowing what would happen to this boy as he was born, but God knew and offered him anyway. As I hold both of my boys in my arms at night, saying prayers with and for them, I don't know what God has in store for their lives, but I do know they will grow up learning the story of the one born in Bethlehem, who through his life, death, and resurrection gives us true life, eternally. 

A baby is truly a miraculous gift of God. Only God can see what they might become, but the prayer of this parent is that they would grow in the love and knowledge of God.

The Rev. Samuel Ward is pastor at Mountain View United Methodist Church in Kingsport, Tenn.