Happy Birthday

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 NIV

Our son Korbin turned 16 yesterday. It’s a pretty amazing milestone. It means that we are older than we care to think about. More importantly, he is a pretty unique young man. Autism puts a definite spin on his interactions with the world. But I think it also enables a pretty high degree of interaction between what is typical here and what exists in heaven.

He has done some pretty amazing things without ever speaking. He can sort of sense issues in anyone he cares about. If he feels one of us out of balance, he will not leave it. He has literally forced us to find a way to put stress or worry away. Picture a pure hearted soul three inches from you face. That’s how close he gets just to make sure. If you tell him you are okay, but you are not, that does not work. He has done the same thing for total strangers at times. It’s a striking thing to experience.

He does not get too animated very often. However, he went downright giddy over an old school electric typewriter he received as a birthday present. He loved it. I don’t know how many 16-year-old young men would react that way to a typewriter. But we sat and watched what pure joy looked like. We also sat and watched as Aly, Logan and Schuyler were all completely blown away by the fact that a typewriter could erase ink from a page. They were literally speechless. Simple gift, big result.

Christmas is next week. I was asked a couple of weeks ago to name one thing about Christmas that I do not like. The word that came to my mind was “clutter”. I realize that gifts are a good thing. We can express our love and we can show people how much they mean to us. It really can be a fantastic time. However, it can also get covered up in busyness, noise and distractions. It can get cluttered. What can get lost in the process is a simple gift with a bigger than imaginable result. A baby. Nobody gets alarmed by a baby.

It’s great to make plans and celebrate with family and friends. It is also great to give and receive gifts. Neither of those things are wrong. What I want to encourage you to do is, in spite those things, take a minute. Take a good deep breath. Turn down the noise. Invite the real, deep joy that comes from a baby sent to save you.

What is the greatest gift you have ever received?

What has your response been to that gift?

Challenge: Have a Merry Christmas. Be amazed at the power of a miracle disguised as a son.

Rick Claiborn