The Story of Two Births: Joshua VS Yeshua

Fourteen years ago today the story of my son’s life began.

If the story of his birth were told it would go something like this: Joshua was born into a free and powerful nation, a Christian heritage, and to a caucasian American family. His parents were middle class, and had been happily married 8 years before they had him. He had a full-blood sister. He was born in a military hospital with the best medical care available. He came home to a beautiful nursery of denim blue and teddy bears. Joshua lives a typical American life – privileged by the world’s standards.

The story of another Joshua’s [Yeshua] life is being told right around this time of year, too. Where my son didn’t have the power to choose how he was born or who he was born to, this person is the only one in history that had the power to choose his parents, the circumstances surrounding His birth, and the heritage of His family.

Over 2000 years ago, He chose to come into this world via a teenage-unwed mother. His conception almost cost His mother her life. He chose to have a step-father and half-siblings. He chose poverty over riches. He chose a powerless nation, and a despised race. His birthplace was insignificant in location and filthy at best. His life was at risk the moment He was conceived. And from the time He was born, until His death, He was hated and rejected.

Jesus Christ, Yeshua, the only one with the power to choose the who, what, when, where, how, and why of His life chose the life that most of us would avoid. Why?

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isa. 9:6

Now Your Turn: What are your thoughts on why Jesus chose this life? Do you identify more with the story of Christ’s birth or with my son’s. If you can identify in someway with the birth of our Savior, how does that make you feel about the circumstances of your own upbringing? Let’s Chat…