25 Dec, 2007
Good News!
This was not your normal baby!
Here's a baby that is still making news...
The largest baby on recent record was born to a woman in Brazil in January of 2005. The doctors nicknamed the boy "giant baby." The infant weighed 17 pounds, about the average size of a six-month-old. He was delivered by Cesarean section.
The boy's 38-year-old mother is diabetic, a condition which can commonly cause women to give birth to larger babies. The boy is named Ademilton dos Santos.
The boy's father and four siblings were reportedly surprised at the news.
He is the heaviest baby ever born in Brazil, according to Brazilian medical officials.
picture & story courtesy msnbc.news.com, 01/24/05
Isaiah 7:14
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:1-7
For to Us a Child Is Born
9:1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shined.
3 You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4 For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. (ESV)
MERRY CHRISTMAS! Today is about the Good News!
Do you think that the woman who gave birth to the "giant baby" felt like this was good news?
When I read the story about this baby weighing 17 pounds at birth, my mouth just dropped! But when I showed this story to my dear wife, who has given birth to three babies, she about fell on the floor! Guys, we will never fully appreciate what women go through to bring little babies or really big ones into this world! No wonder this baby, perhaps one of the biggest ever, made international news!
This got me thinking more about God's Christmas baby. We don't know if Jesus was big or little at birth, or if He had much hair, or if He kept Mary and Joseph up at night. But the news of Christ's birth spread quickly when He was born and it is still making news today....constantly!
How can today's God's Story scripture impact us?
The prophet Isaiah put Jesus in the news long before our Savior was born! Isaiah foretold the "good news" about the coming Messiah, the Christmas child. Jesus is still making the news today because He is the "good news" and has lived up to His name(s)!
Think about how each of the following names for Jesus with their (translated definitions) make the "Good News" real in your own life?
"Immanuel" - (God with us)
"Wonderful Counselor" - (infinite wisdom)
"Mighty God" - (champion in battle)
"Everlasting Father" - (perpetual, compassionate provider)
"Prince of Peace" - (His coming peace)
If you know Jesus as your personal Savior, you have a personal relationship with the One Who has been given the "name above all names". Let the truth of the meaning of Christ's names make news in your life on this Christmas day and every day!
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Go back and read the meanings of Christ's names aloud. As you do, ask Jesus to apply this in your own life. Thank God that you can live in Christ's presence, receive His wisdom to guide you and His power to win spiritual battles. Thank Him for His "daddy-like" protection and provisions, plus His promise of eternal peace for you and everyone who belongs to Him.
- Keep these names of Jesus from Isaiah in mind as you pray during these holidays.
- Memorize today's scripture as a reminder of Who Jesus is in your life.
- As you watch or listen to the media, notice the news (both positive and negative) about Jesus. Let it remind you that some day, "at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord"!
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
Ask those in your storysphere if they can guess the size of the biggest baby ever born in Brazil, or maybe in the world? Share what you learned about the meaning behind the "names" of the baby making the biggest news ever. Ask your friend or family member about a need or challenge in his or her life. Encourage him or her with the truth of how the "baby" named Jesus can meet that need not only at Christmas time but all the time.
- July 2008 [18]
- June 2008 [13]
- May 2008 [20]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [19]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [19]
- November 2007 [17]
- October 2007 [20]
- September 2007 [19]
- August 2007 [18]
- July 2007 [13]
- June 2007 [11]
- May 2007 [14]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [12]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [5]
- November 2006 [14]
- October 2006 [18]
- September 2006 [12]
- August 2006 [17]
- July 2006 [11]
- June 2006 [4]
