True Living at Christmas: Baby Alive

December Series: True Living at Christmas
Part 2 of 4 – Baby Alive

Today’s Musing is from Marlene McKenna.

“Therefore the LORD himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” —Isaiah 7:14 NIV

“It’s her, it’s really her!” I screamed after ripping open the one Christmas gift I cared about. I hugged her tight and kissed her plastic cheek. “Thank you, Mommy! It’s just what I wanted!” Her blue eyes blinked as I cradled her in my arms. Tenderly, I swept her thick, golden curls over her smooth forehead. I wanted her so badly, and now she was mine.

Baby Alive was the coveted Christmas present of 1975. Most little girls asked for her, and their mothers wanted her for their daughters. My mom was no exception. She scoured the city to find my promised baby. When she was delivered to me that sweet Christmas morning, I fed her and changed her diaper, put her down for a nap, and even gave her a bath. To me, she was real, and I was her mom. From that day on I wanted to be a mother.

How much more did Mary long for her child after Gabriel revealed that she would be the mother of the Messiah who had been promised centuries before? She must have been filled with hope, joy, expectation—and maybe even fear—as she waited. For her, the gift was so much more than a live baby … He was to give life to the whole world.

“Look at Him, Joseph! He’s perfect.”

“Yes, Mary, He is. He’s the Messiah.”

“Stop it! You know what I mean. He’s so beautiful, fragile, and helpless. Could this really be God with us?”

“Of course, He is. He was promised and conceived just as Gabriel foretold.” Joseph’s voice trailed off as he turned to see where the singing was coming from.

“Mary, look!” There were several silhouettes running toward their shelter.

Mary scooped up her child and held him close.

“What do they want?”

“I don’t know. I think they’re shepherds.”

One of the men approached Joseph as the others stayed a few yards behind.

“May we see Him?” he panted as he pointed the end of his staff toward Mary. “We were visited by an angel, a host of angels! We were told not to be frightened. Then they told us the good news that gave us great joy!”

“Yes,” another shepherd stepped forward and kneeled before them. “The angel said, ‘Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger’” (Luke 2:11-12 NIV). The shepherd’s shoulders heaved as his wet face looked up. “Is that Him?” he cried, “Is He the Messiah?”

“Yes. Yes, He is!” Joseph smiled. He looked at Mary and raised his eyebrows. Then, he walked over to the shepherd and helped him stand. “Come, all of you, come and see Jesus, the Son of God!”

Today, we all hope for something to satisfy us. Perhaps a new job, a relationship, or even a child is your heart’s desire. Yet, God knows all we need is Jesus. Even Mary, who carried Jesus in her womb, needed Him to save her. We read in Luke 1:32-34 that when Gabriel said to her: “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High,” Mary did not doubt. She only asked, “How will this be since I am a virgin?” She believed the promise—and wanted to know how.

Still today, God promises big, amazing things … then tells us to wait and trust Him. For me, the how is usually unexpected. My prayer for a believing spouse and a family was answered “yes,” but took another fourteen years before the baby was born. Yet, I always had Jesus.

The only way we enter a walk of faith instead of doubt is by drawing near to God. Mary was human just like you and me. She had fears and doubts and was hurt when people rejected her. But she believed God because she had an encounter with Him. In the same way my experience of receiving my Baby Alive fanned the flames of motherhood, Mary was spurred on by the reality of God’s blessing. God was with Mary, and He is with you too. To God’s glory, the Promised Child did arrive on Christmas morning. God did the work. Mary was the recipient of the gift—and so are you.

As you prepare your heart this Christmas, think of your “Baby Alive story.” How has God shown you that His promises are real? Whether it was through comfort in tragedy or blessing beyond your wildest dreams, He is good, faithful, and true. This Christmas, unwrap Jesus with the same joy and anticipation you unwrapped that coveted present. Hold Him tightly and kiss His cheek and never let Him go. You are His favored one and God is with you!

Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus. He is not only the Promised Child from centuries ago, but also My Lord and Savior! Help me to remember and cherish the gift of salvation, new life, and intimacy with You that I would never have if Jesus had not come. Thank You, Abba!

And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”
—Luke 1:28 NASB

Marlene is a wife, mom, and empty nester. Her passion is writing, but she also enjoys golf, travel, and walks on the beach. She loves teaching a discipleship class and longs for all her sisters-in-the-Lord to find freedom in Christ.

God is gracious,
Marlene

Sweet Selah Ministries

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

 Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

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