Christmas Joy

Elliana Joy Houge
Denver, Colorado (2008)


Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished! --Luke 1:45

He came!

And every year we celebrate Jesus Christ’s coming to earth over 2,000 years ago. A baby…a newborn…Our Savior of the world. Love came to show us what love really is. He healed the sick, comforted the lonely, cared for the uncared for, shattered prejudice, and stood up for justice. He made a way for us, all of us who believe, to know Him, love Him and one day, live with Him forever.

Mary was a young teenager when an angel appeared to her and told her she would carry a child—the Messiah. She hurried to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was six months pregnant at the time with John the Baptist. Elizabeth was an old woman; her time had passed. Or so she thought. But God can do anything. And in his grace and power He made it possible for a woman well passed child-bearing years to bear a child. He made a way for a virgin, Mary, to carry a baby, too. A miracle.

I love how radically good God is! He loves to surprise us in ways we could never have imagined.

Young Mary believed what the angel said to her that day. And it all came true. My friend, Tammy and her husband longed for a baby for years. After multitudes of test and surgeries it seemed that her dream of a child would never come true. So they started adoption procedures for a baby girl from China. And, lo and behold, she finally got pregnant! Tammy and Paul are the wonderfully delighted parents of almost-eight week old, Elliana Joy. Miracles still happen today. And yes, they are still looking to adopt a girl from China.

The angel told Mary, “For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1: 37) I believe it. Do you?

Merry Christmas! May you have peace and deep, abiding joy—and Believe.