Article December 13, 1982 Issue

Why was I born? What does it mean?

MICHAEL D. RISSLER

Our local newspaper recently ran stories on genetic disabilities, and on the financial and emotional impact of having children. It even presented conflicting theories on methods of giving birth to, raising, and educating children. Anyone scanning these articles certainly could conclude that the so-called "gift of life" is a pretty chancy proposition. During the Christmas season, when our attention is turned to the meaning and purpose of birth and life, I've often thought of two totally different responses to birth recorded in the Bible.

Both stories are intertwined with high hope and tragedy. The response of the first individual to his birth sprang from conflict, failure, and nearly unyielding despair. "Let the day perish wherein I was born," cried Job, "and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived."^{Job 3:3.}

The second child's birth was in the middle of difficult circumstances—life at that time wasn't easy. Of course, here we're speaking of Christ Jesus. And yet the response of Jesus' spiritually-minded mother was so different from the curse of Job upon his own birth. Mary found deep spiritual cause to say, "My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. ... For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name."^{Luke 1:47, 49.}

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