Inspire

‘Little things can have a BIG impact’- that was the theme of the children’s talk I was listening to in church a while back. The Pastor showed a number of examples: a battery, key, medicine etc. Then he asked the children for their ideas. And off they went listing some of their thoughts…, “a baby” said one child. Yes, there were lots of nods and smiles around the congregation. Everyone understood fully how much of an impact a baby has on all those around.

My mind went on a slightly different path to that of the Pastor as I was drawn to the babe of Christmas. Of course, babies in themselves have life changing impacts on those blessed with their care but the birth of Jesus – what a life-changing, life-giving impact for the world.

Only a God who loves would be willing to send his son into this beautiful, yet sinful, messy, hurting world to carry out his plan of redemption and salvation. An angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds out in the fields proclaiming, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:9-11

God’s answer to draw people to him was a baby, but what big plans God had for this baby.  “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him.” John 3:17

It was the US astronaut Hale Irwin who said, upon returning to earth after standing on the moon. “The most significant achievement of our age is not that man stood on the moon, but rather that God in Christ stood upon this earth.”

Submitted by Cheryl Ziegeler