A new baby

Most people love a new baby. The recent arrival of Prince Louis Arthur Charles Windsor has filled columns of newsprint and helped sell celebrity magazines as well as bringing some joy into our national life for a moment or two. I am sure it is not why Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, have had another child but it’s amazing what the arrival of a baby can do.

I know the feeling well. My daughter has recently given birth to her second child, a gorgeous baby boy - and as you can tell, I am genuinely not biased!

All of this talk of babies reminds me of a hymn that I love to sing, "Because He Lives" by Bill & Gloria Gaither written in 1971. The second verse is particularly poignant in light of recent events, but I would like you to consider the sentiment of all of the verses. These are powerful words!

God sent His Son, they called Him, Jesus;

He came to love, heal and forgive;

He lived and died to buy my pardon,

An empty grave is there to prove my Saviour lives!

Chorus

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,

And feel the pride and joy he gives;

But greater still the calm assurance:

This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

Chorus

And then one day, I'll cross the river,

I'll fight life's final war with pain;

And then, as death gives way to victory,

I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!

Chorus

Having two children, and now two grandchildren, and experiencing that indescribable joy this has given this song has real meaning for me. I know many other people have shared the same moving, encouraging experience!

As a Christian, I still find it amazing that God would send His Son into the world to deal with the problem of sin and evil. The evidence of evil is all around us. We all recognise the problem of moral evil, but we differ in our diagnosis of its root and cause. If we don’t understand the cause and our helplessness to resolve it, then we will never take seriously the only solution that is on offer. I can do no more than leave you with the impressive words of holy scripture:

“In this way the love of God was revealed to us, that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10 MEV

Listen, watch or read more on my webpage, www.findingthemissingpeace.co.uk