By Pastor Mike Mitchum

Well, you knew it was coming. You knew it was only a matter of time before I wrote an article referring to the arrival of my first grandchild! I tried to wait. I am trying not to mention it every week in my sermon. Really, I am trying.

However, I had a thought today that the anticipated arrival of this little baby girl just might change the way I look at the birth of Jesus . . . forever.

I think of my daughter, son-in-law, and their baby (affectionately named “Fetus Cooley” by her Dad) almost every day.  She will come in three and one-half months.  I am looking forward to the birth as if it is the most important event in the world for 2010.

If this is how I feel, can you imagine the anticipation of Joseph and Mary as the awaited the birth of “God With Us”? It surely was on their minds each day.  I wonder if they knew it would be the most important event in the history of the world!?

The way I feel about my grandchild’s arrival reminds me that the Advent season is a time in which we can anticipate the arrival of Jesus all over again.  That is what worship during advent is all about.  We go back in our minds to that time leading up to Jesus’ birth.  It can be on our minds every day.  We can reaffirm our belief that this was a history changing and life changing event.

I also wonder what my granddaughter will do with her life. I know; I need to settle down a bit, but I can’t help thinking about this.  After all, this child will be loved by God, and he has a wonderful plan for her life.  I wonder what God will do in her and through her?

Mary and Joseph already knew the answer to this question in regard to their son, Jesus.  God told Joseph in a dream what his son would accomplish.  Regarding Mary, God said, “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21 NIV)

The advent season is a time to reflect on God’s love demonstrated by Jesus payment for our sins.   When we trust in Jesus, who died for our sins and rose again from the dead, we will be fully forgiven and accepted by God.  Just think, it all began with the birth of a baby.