An amazing thing happens after the birth of a child. All the pain you endured is replaced with joy and anticipation for the new life you hold in your arms. You check to see if all the little fingers and toes are intact. You constantly watch to make sure they are still breathing. You worry – you wonder what they will become when they grow up – you wonder as they depend totally on you for all their needs.

Children are a gift from God and the one born on that Christmas day long ago was the greatest gift He ever gave us. Imagine the thoughts that were racing through Mary’s mind. She was no more than a child herself, disgraced and shamed before her family. Her betrothed, Joseph, knew that what was happening was from God, but he must have been confused at times.

When the shepherds appeared and told them…