“Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward”. Psalms 127:3
Our granddaughter, Eleanor was born on the 23 Feb 2011 at around 7.47 p.m. Like the birth of her elder brother James, I waited anxiously throughout the pregnancy for Eleanor’s arrival, all the time not knowing what kind of a grandchild will be given us from God but always trusting in His providence.
Every birth is a miracle. I stared at Eleanor and watched her move, cry and open her eyes. I cannot help but feel so proud as a grandfather. The name means the bright and shining one. In this child, gift of God, is the hope of the future. The song, ‘When A Child Is Born’ sums up this hope and exhilarating feeling so appropriately
A ray of hope flickers 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 of change whisper in the trees
And the walls of doubt.. crumble tossed and torn,
This comes to pass when a child is born.
A rosy dawn settles all around
You got to feel you're on solid ground
For a spell or two no one seems forlorn
This come to pass when a child is born.
It's all a dream, and illusion now.
It must come true sometime soon somehow
All across the land dawns a brand new morn
This comes to pass.. when a child is born.
This song celebrates the birth of any child, anywhere in the world but it lends itself to an association with the birth of Jesus Christ. It is this greater miracle of the birth of Jesus which offers hope and joy to the world and from whom, every newborn, like Eleanor, gives the same expectations and brings their individual glimmer of hope.
Every child is God’s gift. Psalms 139:12-14 states,
'For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.'
The Catholic Media House made a video, “The Miracle of Life” which shows us how amazing and wonderful the gift of Life is that God has blessed us with.
God is the creator of Life. Every child is special and wonderfully made. Jer 1:5 states,
'Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you are born I set you apart...'
Eleanor is a blessing from God.
Lionel
