A long day of labor turned into an emergency C-section; yet 27 years ago today, a beautiful, bouncing boy with olive skin and big brown eyes, roared like a baby lion upon his arrival.
I remember being despondent over less than favorable prospects in my life. With one baby already, I felt weary thinking about the responsibility of another little life.
My husband didn’t know the Lord, and a new baby certainly didn’t encourage him to get help for an alcohol addiction. He made unwise decisions in numerous drunken stupors including quitting a very profitable job just months before Aaron’s birth.
That Christmas I felt hopeless. Two babies under the age of three, no money, and an unemployed, alcoholic spouse … the future made me very afraid.
We took our new baby home on Christmas eve and my emotions were bouncing around as though they were inside a pinball machine. I pushed through the day because my little Matthew eagerly anticipated the arrival of Santa.
Desperate to provide a normal Christmas, I crawled up in bed with Matthew, baby Aaron, and a bible. Reading scripture from Luke, I told my little boys why we celebrate Christmas. I kept it simple … but my smart Matt seemed to understand that JESUS was a special baby.
As I fought back the tears … little eyes soulfully sparkled with childhood wonder … and in that moment … I felt hope.
Suddenly, this miserable mommy with dismal prospects understood why HE … JESUS, came to earth as a baby.
The realization that JESUS came to give me life … an abundant life, free from chains and worldly pits of sin and consequences … spawned hope from despair.
Supernaturally the HOLY SPIRIT lifted the heaviness from my heart … and in that moment I knew … my future would be better than the hopeless place I wrestled.
I go back to that Christmas eve every year when we celebrate Aaron. The Lord always uses this day to remind me that new babies mean new life, and no matter what …
There is always hope because of the baby JESUS.
So I send these words out to those who are feeling hopeless today.
No matter how dark your world may seem right now …
No matter what the circumstance is …
No matter the diagnosis … the loss … the betrayal … the loneliness … the heartache and misfortune …
No matter the poor decisions … the imperfect situation … the longing …
No matter what life change that’s turned your world upside down …
Because of JESUS … there is always hope.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13
I encourage you sweet friend … ask the Father to fill you with the HOPE of Heaven that came down in a little baby … over 2000 years ago.
Merry Christmas my friends.
Click here to Worship JESUS this Christmas. Music by the group “Downhere.”
Happy 27th birthday sweet Aaron. You are the best Christmas present I have ever received.
