New life brings responsibility and financial burdens. In 2021 in the UK, the basic cost of raising a child until the age of 18 was £76,167. When additional costs, such as housing and childcare, are added, we get the total cost of £160,692. It can be daunting becoming a parent for many reasons!
But still there is joy when we celebrate the birth of a baby. At our Parent & Toddler group, we have had the joy of welcoming new babies this year; my own family is eagerly anticipating the arrival of another child next year. New life should always bring joy because we are celebrating the very miracle of life itself.
The angels told the shepherds, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.’ (Luke 2:10-11) The good news they proclaimed was bound up in the person and birth of Jesus Christ. Because He was born on earth, hope and peace could come to humanity. He was not just a helpless baby; He was the Saviour, the Messiah, the Lord.
We may not know what our children will become, but we are privileged to know what became of the baby whose arrival we celebrate at Christmas. We have eternal life because of His life, death and resurrection, and therefore we have ‘inexpressible and glorious joy’ (1 Peter 1:8), no matter what.
