Christmas Baby

On Dec 25 at 4:34pm Veronica gave birth to our fourth child, James Adoniram Greear! I never suspected that this baby would be born on Christmas, but now that he's here, it all makes perfect sense. The circumstances of this baby have been so strange all the way around that this just completes the mystique…

A quick review: Our 3rd child Veronica and I had prayed for a son. God gave us Ryah Layne (a girl) for whom we were extremely grateful, and, in retrospect, glad of course was not a boy.

Veronica and I had set a day for fasting and prayer on April 28 to ask God what he wanted us to do about having more children. Options were (a) to stop at 3 (because, after all, 3 feels like more than enough and I never think "We need more activity in this house"); (b) have another (as we believe that having and raising lots of God-loving children is one of the greatest ministries to the world that Christian parents can have or (c) adopting a child, as that is such an incredible, Gospel-centered act of love! At the end of the day of prayer and fasting, we were both leaning toward international adoption.

The next morning Veronica found out she was pregnant. I'd never had a prayer answered that fast.

Veronica was a little depressed, at first, that his birthday would be on Christmas, but 2 things cheered her up: (1) I told her that I can remember every person in my life who has ever been born on Dec 25. If anything, it is distinctive and people remember it. (2) A friend pointed out that 2 of the 3 most significant men in her life were born on the same day.

I guess no time is "convenient" to have a baby, especially on Christmas, but that considered, it could not have been timed better on Christmas day. We got up, opened presents with our girls and my parents, went over about noon to my sister's house for Christmas dinner, ate dinner leisurely, then Veronica said, "I think I need to go to the hospital." We went and the doctor said, "You're coming fast." Veronica asked if there was time for the epidural and the doctor said "Maybe." They got the epidural in, and it takes about 10 minutes to take effect. Right at about 10 minutes Veronica said "I think I need to push." And a few minutes later, there he was, all 7 lb 9 oz 21.5" baby, our biggest, though earliest, one by far.

I think all you girl-readers out there should be SUPER impressed at how copiously I have noted these details. It's like I'm one of the girls. Next thing you know, I'll be appearing on the The View.

Thanks for all your love and prayers. I'll take a little time, of course, to help Veronica and the girls adjust, and then I look forward to a great season ahead at the Summit!

P.S. We think we'll call him "Adon," as in rhymes with "Maddon." Adoniram Judson was the 1st American missionary, and a stud of an individual. Reading his biography was extremely influential in both Veronica's and my life. Judson's biography was the 1st book I read after I became a Christian, and one of the books that led to Veronica's full surrender to Jesus. Read or listen to this… it will change your life, I promise!

These photos by the Summit's own Kimberly Naranjo of Evolve studios… She's got real talent!