But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" Galatians 4:4-6

It wasn't so long ago the news carried the story of two babies who had been accidentally switched in the hospital.

Unlikely as it may seem, every once in a while, hospitals make mistakes about a child's identity, and he or she is sent home from the maternity ward with a wrong mother and father. Now hospitals don't like that kind of thing to happen. In that, they are hardly alone.

The question is how can anybody tell, with accuracy, to whom a child belongs?

* Maybe we should award the child to the richest parents. That way we can make sure the baby will never know hunger or thirst. Indeed, if the family is well enough off that child will never have any earthly wants or even a desire to keep up with little Johnny or Janie down the street, who is always the first child to have the coolest stuff.

* We could give the child to the family that hires the best lawyers. That way, if the case ever shows up in court, we can be pretty sure who is going to get custody.

* Most people don't like that idea, so here's another: how about we place the child with the parents who seem to have the happiest home or that mom and dad who have the greatest capacity to love.

* If you don't like any of those, then how about we place that child with the man and woman he most resembles?

None of those ideas are acceptable, are they? So, what can we do? How can we be sure exactly where that baby belongs and what parent should get him?

The answer is obvious: we can run a blood test or check out some DNA strands. Either of those will accurately determine the proper family of that child.

All of this leads me to ask, where do you belong? It's easy to discover. Let's run a blood test on you. No, I'm not talking about our body blood here; I'm talking of the Savior's blood, which was shed for us on the cross. I'm talking about the blood that can wash away the stain of every sin. I'm talking about the blood of Jesus, shed so we might be brought into God's family.

Have you been washed of your sins in the blood of the Savior? If so, by God's grace and Spirit-given faith, you have received the Spirit of adoption into the Father's family. You are His.

Now, because of the Redeemer's blood, nothing -- nothing -- can separate you from the love of God, which is yours in Christ Jesus. Because of the blood of Jesus you have been made part of the family of faith and can call the Creator of the Universe, the Maker of the seen and unseen world, the all-powerful Ruler of time and eternity, "Father."

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, I give thanks that because of Your blood I have a heavenly family. Keep all of us safe from the seductions of him who is dedicated to kidnapping us from our family of faith. This I ask in Your Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Numbers 34-36    Luke 1:57-80

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