Children Are A Joy

Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

                                                                        (Luke 1:57-66 KJV)

So much excitement over the birth of John the Baptist! His father, Zacharias, praised the Lord at his circumcision.

Reading these verses this morning caused me to think about the joyless pregnancies we hear about today. What if Elizabeth or Mary had opted to terminate the pregnancies? Of course, Elizabeth would never have. She and Zacharias had for so long wanted a child. Mary, so young, was in a pretty inconvenient position when she became pregnant, though. But, the mothers of both John and Jesus loved their children and would have done them no harm; neither before or after birth.

Times were not easy in Zacharias' and Elizabeth's day nor are they for everyone today. But, the thought of having a child brought joy to them. If only it were so for those who find themselves with child today. 

I thank God for the birth of John and most especially for Jesus. I do not even want to consider what the world would be like today without their ministries and mission.

God's Peace - Pr. J