“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of
Merry Christmas!
Jim & Pam
Very Rich!
CELEBRATE RECOVERY
Greetings!
In some ways it reminded me of the birth of a child a very long time ago. To say the child was coming into the world in not the best of circumstances would be a colossal understatement.
She had struggled with severe depression for many years which had spiraled into all sorts of addictive and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. To elaborate on her situation would be too painful, except to say the cost had been great, she had nothing. And now she was unwed, pregnant and not knowing where she would go or what she would do, in an unfamiliar place, at the mercy and kindness of strangers. No money, no husband, no home, no job, afraid. Nine months would be a very long time.
Here we were in an unfamiliar city awaiting the birth of a child. The presiding physician was a small oriental lady by the name of Dr T. She came into the room after the birth to visit with the family. She said something like, “You have a beautiful healthy baby boy.” At which time Pam proudly mentioned this was our eighth grandchild. Dr. T was stunned, her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. She uttered words I hope I never forget. With a strong oriental accent and sheer surprise she said, “OoHh! You very rich!” The truth of her statement struck me. In the midst of the most desperate circumstances new life had come! Literally our daughter had been given new life in the form of a child. A new life with new hope, new purpose, new vision, new love, new innocence, new dreams for a young woman who had lost almost everything. And this was the eighth such gift to our family! That was eight years ago. God has been wonderfully good to her and us, now we have nine!
I’ve thought about this event often, virtually every Christmas since. I sometimes envision the similarities to that first Christmas.
Mary a young woman in pretty dire circumstances herself, unwed, pregnant, not knowing where she would go or what she would do, in an unfamiliar place, at the mercy and kindness of strangers. It is almost like I can see the announcement of the birth of baby Jesus in a more profound way.
The angels and all of heaven standing breathless in anticipation of His birth into this fallen world, new life thrust into a dark world.
What does all this have to do with Celebrate Recovery? The birth of baby Jesus brings new life new hope, new purpose, new vision, new love, new innocence, new dreams, not just to one young woman but to all people, you and me, the entire world! Acceptance of, reliance on and surrender too the person of Jesus Christ our Higher Power is the only way to abundant life!