God’s Word Affirms the Sanctity of Life.

December 10, 2025

Leadership Notes

     What better time for a little lesson in Biblical Greek than two weeks before Christmas?

     The New Testament uses a single Greek word…brephos…to refer to both an unborn child and a newborn infant. God’s Word does not treat life in the womb as a different category of humanity from life outside it. As Luke 1:41 reminds us, “And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb.” Luke uses the word, brephos. And then, Luke 2:11-12 tells us, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” The same word, brephos, covers both moments.

     So, what is God’s Word telling us? What underneathness to the birth narrative does Luke want us to see?

     In God’s eyes, the child hidden in the womb and the child held in a mother’s arms bear the same dignity {Andrew T. Walker}. Walker goes on to say that, biologically, the unborn child is alive and genetically distinct, yet simply in a less developed state than the born child.

     All babies, in the womb and after, are created in the image of God. Ethically, human life is sacred. It is worthy of safeguarding at all times. Why? Because the Bible doesn’t divide human worth according to stages of development. Instead, God’s Word affirms the sanctity of life. Conception begins the ongoing state of human development. Amen?

     Think about the wonder of it all. As Luke 1:41 describes it, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb “leaps for joy.” That’s the best translation of the word, skirtao. It implies that the one leaping is joyful. What is a favorite song sung at Christmas? “Joy to the World.” Luke tells us a baby in the womb was the first to rejoice at the news of Jesus.

     There is no more joyful time than Christmas to affirm the sanctity of life.

     And now, your Moment of Spurgeon:

“This glorious word Emmanuel means, first, that God in Christ

is with us in very near association. The Greek particle here used is

very forcible, and expresses the strongest form of ‘with.’ It is not

merely ‘in company with’ us as another Greek word would signify,

but ‘with,’ ‘together with,’ and ‘sharing with.’ This preposition is a

close rivet, a firm bond, implying, if not declaring, close

fellowship. God is peculiarly and closely ‘with us.’”

With Much Love and Affection,

             Richard