So, our country has a new
prince – who seems to have arrived remarkably promptly on Monday morning just
after 11 o’clock. It’s lovely news for
the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and for the nation.
UNICEF estimate that every day the world welcomes 353,000 new citizens, that's 4 babies born every minute! Interesting to put that into context with the figure of 155,000 daily deaths.
At the Manse we have a new puppy and a member of our family commented this week that whilst she looks a bit like a teddy bear its amazing to realise she’s actually ALIVE! It seemed to have come as something of a revelation!
UNICEF estimate that every day the world welcomes 353,000 new citizens, that's 4 babies born every minute! Interesting to put that into context with the figure of 155,000 daily deaths.
At the Manse we have a new puppy and a member of our family commented this week that whilst she looks a bit like a teddy bear its amazing to realise she’s actually ALIVE! It seemed to have come as something of a revelation!
Well, every new life feels
a bit like a wonderful miracle. I think the
Sunday TV serial ‘Call the Midwife’ knows a thing or two about touching the
heart strings and making even the most desperate situation seem just that
little bit more bearable with the news of a new arrival in the family.
The bible charts the whole
of life with ‘Hatches, Matches and Dispatches’ featuring in both
Testaments. Significant births include the longed for, yet slightly unexpected arrival of Isaac and Samuel, to the
highly chronicled stories of John and Jesus’ entry into the world.
Over recent days, as we have anticipated, and then experienced,the arrival of this new royal child there has been a sort of inference in some reporting that as he is only fifth in line to the throne his arrival isn’t as important as that of Prince George’s in July 2013.
Well, in an historical context I suppose we understand that. Yet in a family and personal sense the birth of this (at the time of writing) unnamed youngster is of equal and precious worth alongside that of his siblings.
Whether children are born into our lives, adopted, fostered, or befriended – whether we are a parent, aunt or uncle or a friendly and encouraging presence – we give thanks for them and value our limited role in their development.
As an old hymn puts it;
Over recent days, as we have anticipated, and then experienced,the arrival of this new royal child there has been a sort of inference in some reporting that as he is only fifth in line to the throne his arrival isn’t as important as that of Prince George’s in July 2013.
Well, in an historical context I suppose we understand that. Yet in a family and personal sense the birth of this (at the time of writing) unnamed youngster is of equal and precious worth alongside that of his siblings.
Whether children are born into our lives, adopted, fostered, or befriended – whether we are a parent, aunt or uncle or a friendly and encouraging presence – we give thanks for them and value our limited role in their development.
As an old hymn puts it;
Father,
in your presence kneeling,
All
our heart’s desire revealing,
to your love, in faith, appealing –
to your love, in faith, appealing –
For
our children, Lord, we pray.
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