The arrival of the baby Jesus in Bethlehem was preceded by the arrival centuries earlier of the baby Isaac to Sarah in her old age. These two babies embrace the history and the progress of God’s people in getting to know and to love Him.

Isaac’s birth from Sarah was a public miracle witnessed and received by many as an act of God. Isaac’s birth brought laughter and joy not only to Sarah, but as she herself exclaimed, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” (Genesis 21:6) Isaac was revered throughout his life as a man of God.

The birth of Jesus, descendant of Isaac, however, was wrapped in secrecy and visited by the shepherds who heard the angels’ message of the baby’s arrival and of his identity from God. Even the visit of the wise men ended in secrecy, as they “left by a different route” to avoid informing Herod. (Matthew 2:12) Soon after, Jesus was brought to Egypt for his safety.

Two miraculous baby boys frame the progression of God’s plan for redeeming His creation. Each baby was deeply loved and protected by his human parents. Each one tapped a wellspring of love in his parents that drew them and eventually others, to a deeper love for God Himself. When God spoke of His love for Israel, His strongest comparison was a mother’s love for her infant: “Can a mother forget the baby she has borne? Though she may forget, I will never forget you!” (Isaiah 49:15) God’s love for His people is stronger even than maternal love, a love which everyone can know and recognize.

God gave Isaac to his parents as a gift of love and also of covenant. Isaac was the fulfillment of a promise, creating a bond anchored in parental love. Jesus, too, was a gift of love and of covenant. He was the fulfillment of a promise to Mary as well as to the whole world, of a savior who would bring salvation to human kind: For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given. . . and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace. (Isaiah 9:6) The baby Jesus was nurtured in the arms of Mary and Joseph, and he became the bridge between us and our God, the fulfillment of all of God’s promises in Jesus’ love and obedience to his Father God.

Love in Him,

Prue