Miracle of Love: A 5-Day Devotional With Chris TomlinSample

Day 1: Questions Dads Ask

“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11 (NKJV)

When I heard the news that we were expecting our third daughter…I nearly passed out. 

Needless to say, it was a gift neither of us ever expected to receive. We thought our family was complete with our two girls, Ashlyn and Madison. Fittingly, our newest addition is scheduled to arrive this Christmas.

I have to admit, once the shock wore off, I started remembering all the sweet moments that only happen when your child is a newborn. Those are some of the most vivid memories I have of our girls. Tender moments of holding them close, keeping them safe, slowly rocking them to sleep—those fleeting years when you’re their whole world. And suddenly, I found myself getting excited about the impending birth of another baby.

While it proved to be one of the biggest surprises of my life, God wasn’t surprised. Before He even hand-picked Lauren to be my wife, He knew He would bless us with three little angels, and I’m so honored to be their dad.

It makes me think about how Joseph must have been blindsided by the news of his baby. Talk about a surprise! While he lived in a different day and age, I’m willing to bet Joseph asked a lot of the same questions I’ve been asking this year… 

How can I best love and support this child?

Will I be able to provide everything this child will require?

What do I most want to teach this child?

Joseph might not have had all the answers that day when the angel appeared to him with the news that rocked his world, but he was a good man. Once the angel left, he did exactly as he had been commanded. He took Mary as his wife. He cared for her during her pregnancy. Then, he named that surprise bundle of joy, Jesus.

I got the news today / I heard that you were coming / It took my breath away and the tears filled up my eyes. —“Miracle of Love”