Christmas adoption

Christmas is always an exciting time for our families as we, together, celebrate the Incarnation of our King, Jesus Christ. The past 6 years have been filled with joy as we have added a child ever 2yrs since 2007 when Nathan, our oldest son, was born. The Father gave us Rachel in 2009 and then Caleb in 2011. All three brought us great pleasure and excitement was we experienced the beauty of life entering the world. This year we are excited, not about one addition, but rather two additions to the Bradsher nation as The Father has blessed us with Michael and Abigail, pictured in the the middle below. We are currently in the adoption process awaiting the final court date when, Lord willing, all will be finalized. I thank my God for such a wonderful, beautiful Christmas gift - having a part in exemplifying to the world the "reason for the season." Yes, the "Reason for the Season." How is adoption the reason for the Christmas season? Luke recorded Jesus stating the reason for His Incarnation (physically becoming a man), "for the Son of Man [Jesus Christ] has come to seek and to save the lost." Jesus was born to die for the redemption of man. Paul says such another way in Ephesians 1:5, "having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will," the Christ of God was born Jesus the man in Bethlehem so that we who once were not in God's family could become a member of God's family, a forever child of God. Thus, Jesus Christ was born, Christmas, for our eternal adoption. Though our adopting Michael and Abigail is not eternal, our willingly and joyfully embracing them into our family, making them our children, at least in part exemplifies the grace of God shown to us as He adopted us into His family. We celebrate Christmas this year in a whole different light as we are reminded of His willingly and joyfully adopting us into His family. From the Bradshere nation to you: Merry Christmas!