Isaiah 9:6 – For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (NKJV)

Three days before Christmas, my youngest niece, Bailey, was born. It is a day that I won't forget. It snowed, and for rural middle Georgia, a white Christmas was rare.

She was a beautiful baby with the prettiest eyes. However, I think that most people say that about babies, right?

Part of my job, besides keeping an eye on my niece, Jessica, Bailey's older sister, was to let other people know that Bailey had been born. My sister Tracey had given me a list of people to call and cards to be mailed.

The announcement of the birth of a new baby is important. Cards are sent. Balloons are tied on mailboxes. Normally, there are pictures of the newborn sent along with the announcements. Inside the card, the date of birth, and the measurement and weight of the baby are included.

When Bailey was born, there was no email, no social media, and no quick announcing her birth. There was no skywriting. Instead, I called everyone and mailed out postcards that Tracey had picked out. We tied a pink bow on a tree at my sister's house to let the community know that we had another girl in the family.

Imagine the day when Jesus was born. Remember how God spread the word? God spoke to the shepherds that night through His angel. The shepherds were keeping their sheep in the fields. "Do not be afraid," the angel first told them, and then went on to say, "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10b-11 NKJV)

Of course, the angel didn't include baby Jesus' hair colour, eye colour, weight, or measurement in inches. But we found out so much more.

This baby was going to be the Lord of their lives. Whoa! And not just their lives, but our lives, too.

With the birth of Baby Jesus, the announcement was that the Saviour was here. Back then, and with us now, too, people had the need for someone who would bring them back at rights with God. They had turned to wrong living and straying off the right path, and nothing else was the answer to forgiving their sins and bringing them back to God. The same goes for us when we stray.

Nothing else could connect them to God except the sinless blood of the same person whom the baby Jesus grew up to be: Christ the Lord, the Saviour.

So, the angel told them: Here is your answer — the Christ is here. He is born, and with Him, redemption is possible. The same message is for us. Let us accept this gracious offer of forgiveness!

Talk about the best birth announcement ever!

Prayer: Dear Lord, the announcement of Your Son's birth brought great joy. What an amazing gift He is for us. Thank You for loving us so much. Amen.

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About the author:

Becky Holland <rlhga@icloud.com>
Empire, Georgia, USA
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