The Christmas Child

In my novella, Christmas Child, set in 1891 New York City, adoption plays a significant role. A Christian who’s opening an orphanage explains to another character (who isn’t a believer) God’s take on the subject:  “When a mother and father are blessed with a child, they don’t have any say…

In my novella, Christmas Child, set in 1891 New York City, adoption plays a significant role. A Christian who’s opening an orphanage explains to another character (who isn’t a believer) God’s take on the subject:

 “When a mother and father are blessed with a child, they don’t have any say in what they get. But when a husband and wife decide to adopt, they have a choice. And believe me, I’ve seen them come in with a list of desirable characteristics. It’s a very unnatural process.

“Like those unfortunate children who lack a family, we too are separated from our Father. We do what we want and live the way we choose. We’re not very suitable candidates. His adoption of us isn’t ‘natural’ either.

“But still we seek ways to belong. Some orphans act badly to get noticed. Others are too sweet. We adults have our own methods to try to earn our Heavenly Parent’s attention: We perform good works, help our neighbors, and pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, all the while hoping our ‘goodness’ will merit God’s approval.

“But the Bible tells us God regards all our good works as ‘filthy rags.’ It’s only because of His great love toward us that we can belong to Him. ‘God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.’

“Just like these orphaned boys and girls, when they find the family made just for them, they are ‘born again’ into another family, a forever family, we hope. And this is what God does for us.”

Society often stigmatizes adoptees. Our Heavenly Father, though, builds his forever family solely through adoption. His house is full of rooms prepared just for us.

Penny Musco

https://www.pennymusco.com/

 

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September Kindle Monthly Deals

September Kindle Monthly Deals

We're back! Pelican Book Group has more books selected by Amazon to be included in Kindle Deals, just like last month! All books listed in this post will be on sale for the whole month of September for only $1.99! A Time for Singing by James, Carol All or Nothing...

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