The Cost of Birth

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

This week I was invited to be a part of a creative team to dream and brainstorm what we could design for our Christmas Eve services. This verse in Isaiah will be the focal point. I landed on the first sentence and have remained there ever since - beyond the meeting. A child is born, a son is given.

I started thinking about the importance of the birth of a child. The advent as you anticipate their coming and then their actual arrival. Which brings on a ripple effect: a couple becoming parents, a child becoming a sibling; the impact on the extended family; friendships getting redefined. The impact of a birth goes on and on and on. 

But then I started thinking about the Bible as a whole and how birth is a key component in the history of the Israelites and continues in the church today. According to Biblegateway, the word “birth” can be found 191 times, starting with Cain and Abel. From there, birth after birth is documented as it builds to the birth of Terah who was the father of Abram who was later named Abraham, the father of many nations. From there we have the birth of Issac followed by the birth of Jacob, later renamed Israel, whose wives Leah and Rebecca would give birth to twelve sons, the 12 tribes of Israel. And then, of course, the birth of all births, Jesus!

Births were and are a big deal in our history. But they are also a big deal today. Titus says: 

He (Jesus) washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.

John says

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

Isn’t that crazy - how important birth is?! Literally and spiritually. Birth is a big deal. The birth of an idea, the birth of a nation, the birth of our Savior. But, as I think about it today, I realize the cost of birth.

It took thousands of years, from the beginning of time, until the birth of Jesus. And the battle to get there was immense. Battles between nations, between people, between God and his called-out ones. But then, you’d think that once the Savior of the world was born, and we were reborn, life would settle down, the peace that we experienced would carry us through until heaven. But that’s not the case. Post-birth is hard. It’s hard to follow Jesus; it’s hard to choose not to sin; it’s hard to continue to believe in the power of God when the life you face is so, well, hard.

As I watch the news this morning, I, along with the world, am celebrating the peace that has come to Israel. And what it took to birth this peace, the battles and prayer to get to this point. But today I begin a new prayer. I pray for the battle that’s coming. To keep that peace. Just like I pray for those who were baptized, the day after. Because that’s when the work for this new reborn life truly begins.

Birth is a beautiful thing. It’s the beginning of joy and excitement and anticipation. But, after that jaw-dropping moment, it then becomes a defining moment in our lives. A day in which we choose. We choose how to raise our children. We choose how to stand firm in peace. And we choose how to live our lives as a person who has been reborn into the family of God. All of which require great commitment and fortitude. And prayer.

I’m so grateful that God called me and that I answered. As hard as it is at times (a lot of times), I wouldn’t trade this life for anything. Because it’s been through the fire and the waters that God has done his finest work in me, a work that continues. All because I chose to be born again.