A Child Is Born

By Al Behel       “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called ‘Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)     So, what is so different about this child?  Countless children are born around the world each day.   Why is this child unique?  Why do millions of people bow before Him?  Why does the world pause to remember His birth?     Because, this child is different.   He is no ordinary infant and His birth was no ordinary birth.  He is different because God determined that His birth would be so profoundly different from all other births that he announced it more than 700 years in advance.  It was different because His mother was still a virgin, and His father was God Himself.   God entrusted His infant Son to a young woman’s womb with the confidence that she would faithfully honor this sacred trust.       Born in a stable, among ordinary farm animals, this child’s birth was announced by angels singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, Peace, goodwill among men.”  That is why He came.  That is what He was about.  And that is still His mission for us...to glorify God in the highest, and bring peace and goodwill to men.     His path was not to a stable, but to a cross.   The ultimate goal was to die for a lost world.  His ultimate victory was to be raised from death and return to the Father who sent Him.   By doing so, He brought life to all who would follow Him to the cross.    After more than two thousand years, that cross still stands as the center piece of human history…the pivotal point of eternity.  No wonder they called Him, “Everlasting Father”, for He truly is the Father of Eternity.  Let us bow before Him and honor His birth by accepting His cross.

- Al Behel served the Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ in Pigeon Forge, TN, for many years prior to this death in April 2022. The congregation may be contacted through their website - https://gsmchurchofchrist.com/