New Life, New Love – Through Adoption

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. – Galatians 4:4-5

In 2016 my husband and I flew to China to meet Wei Qiang for the first time. We were immediately directed not to the orphanage, as expected, but to the hospital. There we met our soon-to-be-adopted son, who was malnourished, sick, and lethargic. He was 3 years old, but had the mental and physical capabilities of an infant – he had never walked, talked, or eaten solid food.

After 2 weeks in China we received medical clearance to fly home to Alaska, where he was diagnosed with ‘failure to thrive,’ tuberculosis, low-functioning autism, and myriad other issues. The physician’s assistant who first examined him said, “If you hadn’t adopted him, he’d be dead by now.”

But – praise be to God – Wei Qiang (whom we later named Coen) did not die! Five surgeries and hundreds of medical appointments later, my son can now run, climb, communicate via sign language, and eat some solid food. He who was once destined for death is now alive and well, thanks to the blessing of adoption! By the way – Coen may not be our biological son, but he is our true son.

I cannot help but see the parallels to my own life. I was once dead in my deplorable sin and destined for hell (Ephesians 2:1). I was a spiritual orphan – weak, aimless, sick at heart and mind. I could do nothing good on my own (John 15:5). But – praise be to God – I was brought to saving grace through Jesus’s sacrifice and I am now very much alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:5)! By the way – only Jesus is God’s “biological” (begotten) Son, but through adoption I am God’s true child.

Prior to Coen’s adoption, he had no one to love him – but through adoption he now has many family members who love him! Prior to my adoption into God’s family, I did have a wonderful family who loved me and whom I loved. But their love couldn’t save me from death or hell. Only God’s perfect, undeserved, unfailing, unconditional love can do that!

As we quietly focus our hearts during Advent, let us look beyond the transient Christmas season full of packages, lights, and carols to the true and eternal reason we celebrate: Jesus. And remember that it is not only the birth of baby Christ that we celebrate, but, more importantly, it is the life, sacrificial and atoning death, and resurrection of the man Jesus that we celebrate, which has provided for us the hope of a new – and eternal – life as His loved and adopted children.

Dear God, please help me envision what life would look like without the gift of your Son, Jesus. I would have no true joy, no peace, no purpose, no hope of heaven. Once that terrible thought passes, help me to see with fresh eyes and a thankful heart what a precious gift you have given by allowing me to be your adopted – and true – child. I love you. Thank you for loving me. Amen.