A baby is coming our way next year. Our daughter, Emily Greenwood (and Nick) are having their firstborn son, little Jackson Greenwood, coming in March. For several years they were trying to have a baby and then started the adoption process. They had their home visits, developed a web site and came out to "give us an update on the adoption." We thought they found a baby to adopt, but they gave us the news that they were suspending the adoption process because they were pregnant. This next year, Vicki and I become grandparents, and we are looking forward to it. We haven't been there before, but we think spoiling and loving this little bundle will be great. Christmas is all about a baby. The angels told the shepherds to "look for a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger." (Luke 2 The Message) Jesus was born as a little baby. Unfortunately, outside of heaven, not many looked forward to his arrival because they really didn't know he was coming. There was no nursery waiting for his arrival, no pile of clothes waiting for him to wear, no gathering of the relatives at the news of his arrival. Just an unfamiliar town, with strange shepherds visiting from the field, a bed of hay for his bed and God watching over the whole event. I would have not done it that way, but God did. He often seems to do things totally different than how I would have planned things. But I stand amazed at how it all works out. It just does. We continually must learn to trust and obey him. This Christmas, celebrate the way God knows, and holds, the future. And thank him for the free gift of salvation. It's the best gift you'll ever get.

 

Merry Christmas!

 

Jim Smith
CBSC Executive Director