As I reflect on Christmas just two days after said celebration, I realize something – all of Christmas is a miracle from start to finish – the greatest miracle, the greatest story ever told, the best gift ever given – Jesus. It’s all miraculous – there is no other explanation. That God would leave His home in heaven and come here to walk a few miles in our human, earthly shoes – nothing short of a miracle!

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5-8)

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.” (Hebrews 4:14-15)

That God loved us even though we had turned our backs on Him and were still sinners – loved us enough to send His one and only Son to us – that’s a miracle.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

A Christmas miracle – eternity entered into our temporal existence tearing time in two forever – a miracle. Thirty-three years later, a curtain would be torn in two from top to bottom – we would no longer be separated from our Creator God – a miracle!

Miracle upon miracle – a virgin birth, Old Testament prophecies fulfilled, God’s promises kept (to send us a much needed Savior), angels talking to shepherds, wise men being led by a star, Simeon and Anna rejoicing at the sight of the baby Jesus, knowing they were witnessing God’s faithfulness to mankind revealed, knowing death was already defeated, even though it would be thirty-three years later and they would not live to see the earthly resurrection of their long awaited Messiah – they didn’t need to – they believed God and now they had seen His promised Savior with their own eyes. This miracle of seeing the Christ Child filled them with joy and with hope. God’s True Light had entered into our dark world.

“The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. . . . In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:9, 4-5)

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ ” (John 8:12)

Today our culture’s commercialization of Christmas threatens to cover up the true miracle that is Christmas – but it can’t. The True Light has come into our world and the darkness cannot hide it. Rather the light shines in our darkness and overcomes it! This is the hope of Christmas! God’s ways are certainly not our ways. The miracle of Christ’s birth in the way it took place, fulfilling every prophecy, was perfectly planned from before time began by our Heavenly Father. In the Nativity are the truth, the power and the miracle of Christmas, the reason we remember, celebrate and rejoice. Christ has come bringing light into a dark world, hope to a world in desperate despair, healing for all our brokenness, forgiveness and mercy to cover all our sins and His love to deliver us from certain death into everlasting life with Him. If that’s not a miracle worth celebrating, I don’t know what is!

Jesus – the Christ Child, the Messiah, the promised Savior, the Sacrificial Lamb, the conquering King – God’s miraculous, undeserved gift to each and every one of us. Jesus – God’s gift to you. God’s gift to me. I want to prepare Him room. I want to receive Him. I want to remember what God has given me – a Savior, an Advocate, a Redeemer – a reason to rejoice and to celebrate.

The King has come! The King is coming! – the miracle of Christmas – a miracle worth remembering, a miracle worth celebrating!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.’ ” (Luke 2:10-14)

sincerely, Grace Day