Birth Announcements . . .

I’ve been anticipating and watching for the news of two births this month. They both arrived this weekend. Little Kalyn Emily (picture on left) arrived at 2:54 a.m. this past Saturday in Harrisburg, PA, my niece Mindy and her husband Erik’s first. Then, just minutes ago (3 a.m.) I read the news of Samuel James born at 12:44 a.m. this morning to our friends, John and Mandy in Princeton, NJ. I was so excited and rejoiced with both these new little families.

Doesn’t everyone love to hear the news of a baby’s birth?

I was thinking about the news of Jesus’ birth. Mary and Joseph didn’t have internet, which is how I learned of both of the above births, pictures and all. Nor did they have postal service or pony express, as far as that goes.

So God had his own plan to get the news out.

He sent one of his instant messengers – an angel – to some shepherds on the night shift crew. “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone!” the angel announced. “The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born tonight in Bethlehem . . ." Talk about a unique birth announcement! Then, kind of like “forwarding” messages in our inbox, which I did when I heard the news of Kalyn and Samuel, the bewildered, but excited shepherds ran to the village to see the baby and then proceeded to tell everyone what had happened.

Oh, the joy of birth announcements. But, this one was different. Luke wrote that this news would be the greatest joy to many. "Unto us a child is born . . . " Not just any child, Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, Immanuel - God with us - you, me, the whole world.

Joy to the World!