A Child Is Born
Mother and Child (c) 2018 Rev. Linda M. Rhinehart Neas "Unto us a child is born." - Isaiah 9:6 Years ago, in the church of my childhood, I first heard these words said during Midnight Mass. I wondered at the time why the Babe was being born "to us." But, as is the habit with children, I didn't ponder the point for long. In fact, I didn't think about it again, until the following year, when the grand announcement was once again given. So, why does the prophet use these exact words? A half-century later, I believe it is because in cultures around the world, the birth of a child is not simply celebrated by family, but also by the community. A baby is evidence that life continues. Regardless of what horrors the child might be born into, the child's birth brings hope that Love will triumph. A child is born someplace in the world every quarter of a second - that's four babies per second! Humanity, despite all the pain and suff...