Christmas Tidings – by Sharon Dow

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

As a mother and grandmother, I’ve experienced the excitement of a child being born. What a thrill it brings to my heart. There is nothing quite like looking into the eyes of the child you have carried for months, or at the face of your child as he holds his firstborn. The family changes forever with the birth of just one child. They fill a gap in our lives that we didn’t know existed. 

At this time of year, I think of Mary; so young, so sheltered, so inexperienced. Yet she carried this tiny babe in her womb, just like mothers of today. She faced criticism, lack of understanding, lack of belief, family members who turned their backs on her; but she believed God and was willing to move ahead with His plan.

She carried the son of God, but her labor and delivery was very human. I like to imagine the joy that filled her heart as she gazed on her firstborn, checked his tiny fingers and toes, kissed his soft cheek. I’m sure her heart overflowed on a human level. But how much greater the birth of this child, this son of God. He who is the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, entered the world in the same way we did; tiny, helpless, totally dependent on his parents for food and shelter. What an amazing birth; what an amazing God; what an amazing Savior!

Today’s writer is the author of three books, Antipas: Martyr, Pergamum: Satan’s Throne, and Huldah: Prophetess. Contact