Christmas Miracles

“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.”

Isaiah 9:6-7a NIV

 

What better place to witness the miracles of Christmas than in the garden? Yes, it is a bit chilly but without a doubt worth the experience. Pure white snow, dark evergreens, shades of gray blending into the black tree trunks that support empty branches standing in silence as they wait for spring. Moonlight cast filtered shadows on the red holly berries. The chickadees and cardinals have tucked their heads under their wings for the long winter night. Early tomorrow morning they will wake up singing their praise as they fly about adding interest and color to the drab days of winter. As you know, since my heart’s garden not an actual garden, my mind is wide open to add additional beauty. If I want snow...there is snow!  It is possible for me to enjoy poinsettia, amaryllis, paper whites and snow drops all in the same garden bed!

 

It has been a busy shopping day for me so I am getting to the garden a little late. Large wet snowflakes of a million different patterns are beginning to fall. Dusk is succumbing to night and the moon is climbing high in the black velvet sky. One by one the stars begin to twinkle and shine reminding me of the message of a Christmas miracle that happened over two thousand years ago.

Tonight I will  sit a spell in the gazebo and contemplate Christmas miracles of long ago. My thermos of hot chocolate is steaming and each swallow warms me inside and out. I also feel the loving warmth of God, my Heavenly Father. Memories of that first Christmas night begin to flood my mind. What were the miracles of that special night?

The greatest miracle was the arrival of God to live among men. It was also the miraculous appearing  of the heavenly host of angels descending from the realms of glory and hovering over the Bethlehem hillside as they delivered God’s holy birth announcement to the sleepy shepherds. It was a manger made of wood that would begin a journey that would eventually lead this Christ child to a wooden cross. It was Joseph, a loving earthly father, who against all odds took on God’s assignment for his life even at the risk of personal humiliation. It was Mary, a simple young woman who considered herself to be blessed by God among all women even though her predicament had raised eyebrows and placed her in a position of shame. It was a tiny newborn baby who had created all life, but now was dependant on those he created. It was a holy night of prophecy finally being fulfilled! These are only a few of the miracles of that first Christmas so many years ago.

Tonight I am amazed when I realize that the same stars that shown over two thousand years ago lighting the way for the Messiah are the same stars that are still in place for me to enjoy tonight. Glancing around the garden I am reminded that my winter garden contains holly berries, cardinals, poinsettia, and amaryllis which are all brilliant red reminders of the blood that Jesus shed for all who would believe in him and accept his free gift of salvation. The pure white snow reminds me that even though my sins are as scarlet, the blood of Jesus washes away my sin and makes me whiter than snow. As the wind whistles through the trees it seems I can hear the distant song of the angels and the message they sing is for the entire world. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11 KJV The snow topped evergreens surrounding me are celebrating God’s message of hope for everlasting life. These are indeed the miracles of Christmas. How blessed I am to be in the garden this wonderful night! How comforting it is to know that this very day God is still in the process of fulfilling his prophecy. As prophesied, Jesus came to this world a long time ago and every day we live we are one day closer to him coming again!

Questions:

1. What miracles of Christmas amaze you the most?
2. Why are those miracles so meaningful to you?
3. As Christmas nears will you make time to reflect on the miracles of Christmas by spending time with God in the garden of your heart?

 

Prayer:

 

Dear God,

 

What an amazing plan you have for this world! God, it was you, who put on the skin of humanity and came to earth in the simple form of a baby. No fanfare only simplicity.  You used the simple to baffle the wise. It was a simple handmaiden and a man who was an ordinary carpenter that brought glory to you because of their obedience. God you rode into the little town of Bethlehem nestled in the womb of Mary, who road on the back of a common donkey. You chose to use a smelly stable for shelter and a hay manger to cradle your precious Son on the night of his birth. Your birth announcement came from the heavenly angels to the lowly shepherds. This heavenly announcement was the only splash of magnificence on that dark starry night. The message was simply go to the busy city of Bethlehem, where there are more people than rooms, find a newborn baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Because the shepherds believed the message of the angels they quickly went without hesitation to find Christ the Lord and to worship him, the Messiah, the Son of God, The Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, and The Prince of Peace. God, I want to thank and praise you tonight for your wonderful gift to this sinful world. Jesus, is the miracle of Christmas!

 

It is in His name I pray. Amen.