For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… Isaiah 9:6

Our adopted son Luka was born Dec 1, 2019. He was so tiny. Just 4lbs when we brought him home from the hospital. Celebrating Christ’s birth that year, while holding a frail little baby was a unique experience. It’s amazing when you think about it — The Savior of the world came to us as a baby!

For Christmas in 2019 I had some pictures of Luka’s first few days printed and framed and gave them to Casey as a gift. Sounds weird now, but it felt risky to do at the time, because as a foster baby we didn’t know how long he’d be with us. Could be 2 more days or 2 more months. We just didn’t know. Those tangible pictures represented the strong feelings of attachment we had but were afraid to show. We excited, joyful, and loved him very much. We couldn’t help but feel those things. When Casey opened the pictures on Christmas morning, she and I looked at each other and we both teared up. Our “big kids” were looking at us like we were weird, that’s nothing new 😂

Here’s the thing, babies bring us (all of us) joy. Did you know a “feel-good” hormone called Oxytocin is released in you when you hold a baby? Being close to a baby literally makes you happy! Now, I can’t explain all of that physiologically 😅 but from an emotional standpoint I can tell you that in December of 2019 with baby Luka, we were experiencing the joy of NEW LIFE. By embracing him we were embracing hope, change, possibility and promise! Baby Luka’s lungs weren’t even fully developed but he was teaching US to breathe again.

Jesus came as a baby. Small, fragile and vulnerable. There are many reasons for that, but at least one reason is to point out the fact that HE BRINGS NEW LIFE. And if you and I take hold of Him we’re embracing on a much, much larger scale — HOPE, CHANGE, POSSIBILITY and a whole new world of PROMISE. Over and over Jesus teaches us to breath again. He makes us born again! ✝️

At Christmas in 2019 we had no idea baby Luka would/could be a part of our forever family, but he is. He’s actually (asleep) right beside me as I type this. We’re pretty much inseparable 😊 And in an even more fulfilling way, that baby born in a manger in Bethlehem 2000 years ago is ALWAYS beside me and within me. We are inseparable. And I’m a part of His forever family for all eternity.

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). – Matthew 1:23

Merry Christmas!