The Most Precious Birth

We welcomed a new baby girl into the ever-growing Muston clan last week. Haygen Jo Kaatz was born on December 2nd to Samantha Jo (Muston) and Tyler Kaatz. Samantha is the daughter of my cousin, Jonathan, and his wife, Linda. I had the privilege of taking part in the marriage of Tyler and Samantha last year. It is amazing to watch God at work in the lives of His children. My heart is overflowing with joy for this dedicated, young, Christian family!

We have several birthday celebrations in our immediate family during the last two months of the year. Our end-of-the-year birthday list includes: Josh, Chloe, Samuel, and Eyan. That makes for some interesting shopping experiences between birthdays and Christmas. More than once, I have made the mistake of wrapping a present in the wrong paper, only to have to rewrap it. Sometimes it is hard for an old guy like me to remember which gift is intended for which occasion.

As much as I enjoy celebrating the birth of our children and our grandchildren, the most precious birth that is recognized this time of year is the miraculous Incarnation of Christ! It is impossible for the human mind to conceive the full measure of God’s love demonstrated by this act. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This verse, found in John 3:16, is the story of Christmas, the Cross, and the Resurrection. God “gave” His Son to be born into the world. God “gave” His Son to suffer and die in our place. God “gave” His Son new and eternal life after His sacrificial death.

God gave His Son to us so that we might know Him. And by knowing the Son, we might know the Father through Him. There is no greater gift that has ever been given throughout history than the gift of Christ to the world. We honor that gift when we gather for worship each Sunday. We rejoice in that gift when we offer our prayers of praise and thanksgiving to the Father. We celebrate that gift as we gather around the tree with our family on Christmas Day! Do not lose sight of the real gift of Christmas! It is the birth of God’s Son, given to us, so that we might have eternal life with Him!

Serving in love,

Bro. Jim