A Child Is Born

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 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 suffering, all the wars, all the hate, continues to bring life into this world. Most of the births are products of the love of two humans for each other. Each birth is a gift of Love, of Hope and of Faith. These are international, world-wide virtues. No one faith path holds claim to them.
 
"Unto us a child is born!" - May the memory of a tiny babe born to a poor couple who would soon become immigrants, fleeing the terror of hate, remind us all that Love is our greatest gift; Hope is the Light we hold against the darkness and Peace begins in the quiet of each heart.
Christmas blessings to all!

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