We celebrate at this time the extraordinary birth of a child born to be king, of a child “born that man no more may die”, of a child “born to raise the sons of earth”, of a child “born to give them second birth”. As Boney M sang in their 1981 hit song, “A ray of hope flitters in the sky; a tiny star lights up way up high. All across the land, dawns a brand-new morn; this comes to pass when a child is born. A silent wish sails the seven seas; the winds have changed whisper in the trees and the walls of doubt crumble tossed and torn - this comes to pass when a child is born. A rosy hue settles all around, you’ve got the feel you’re on solid ground. For a spell or two no-one seems forlorn - this comes to pass when a child is born.” There is great power in such lines and thoughts.
While not in the same league by any means, the birth of any child is, in truth, for any parent an incredible moment in their lives. It is a life-changing moment in a different way to that of Christ. Parents may not have quite such confidence in what lies ahead with this precious new arrival but the picture always looks rosy. It is a new dawn in the adults’ life. It is surely a time of hope; indeed, no-one seems forlorn when their child is born.
A child is born. Four simple words that define an act but disguise a future. But for all of us parents, grandparents, teachers, those four words have power in four further words. Firstly, a child is a Blessing, something extremely special for others, something that affords “an inner peace, an inner bliss, an inner happiness, an inward joy that is not produced nor affected by circumstance”. They are a gift, a promise, a hope, a joy.
Then too a child is an Opportunity. The child can bring much to this world, if raised well; the child can leave a lasting legacy. The child is an opportunity to change the world. The child is an opportunity in creating, doing something special for themselves and for others.
Further, a child is a Reason. The child brings purpose to our lives. The child gives us a reason to wake up, to get up, to raise up and to speak up. There are many things we may wish to see differently in the world and our child gives us the reason to go out and act. Each child has purpose.
Lastly, a child is Nonesuch – “a person or thing that is unsurpassed or unmatched; peerless example”, as the dictionary states. This child born to us is unique, unlike anyone gone before or coming after. This child is different to his sister, to his mother, to his relatives, to his friends, to anyone in history. Each child brings something new, different and uplifting.
A child is BORN – a Blessing, an Opportunity, a Reason, a Nonesuch. We may only see a crumpled-up mass of skin and blotches but a child, our child, is born. In popular society, we love to find a suitable slogan to live by, using the premise of “born to be”. They are born with natural talents and with a latent purpose. Steppenwolf sang in 1968, we are, “Like a true nature’s child, we were born, born to be wild. We can climb so high I never wanna die. Born to be wild. Born to be wild” but that was not true. Others since have claimed we are “born to Surf” but there again, life is much more than looking for adventure. Others claim we are born to be free, though many struggle to define what freedom is.
In truth, in simple terms, a child is indeed born simply to be (as Hamlet laboured over endlessly) – to be himself or herself, to be the person promised and premised. A child is born to live, to learn, to serve, to thrive, to love and be loved. A child is born to be mild not wild; a child is born to serve more than to surf. A child is born to learn more than to earn.
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To quote again the Boney M song, “And all of this happens because the world is waiting, waiting for one child”. The world is waiting for this child of ours in a different way to the one who was prophesied but now the new child is born. When a child is born a new dawn appears full of promise and blessing, a new beginning with opportunity and option, a new reason full of fresh hope
We need to be fully aware that much “comes to pass when a child is born”, when the child is born and when our child is born. Our lives are changed; their lives just begin. Enjoy!
