Hidden Miracles in the Christmas Story

Well, it’s officially Christmas. Okay, I know the day isn’t technically here yet. But it might as well be. Christmas songs are all over the radio (and I constantly have them stuck in my head because of it), lights line every shopping center, and people are shopping pretty much nonstop. Christmas is everywhere you look.

In years past, this used to sometimes bother me. I’ve always had some mixed feelings about the Christmas season, mostly because so much of it seems to be shrouded in excess - more stuff, more gifts, more spending. But lately, I’ve learned to make peace with Christmas. I mean, it’s going to happen whether or not I like it. And of course, there are some things about this season that I do love.

So, in an effort to try to focus on the best parts of the Christmas season, I started to take a different approach to Christmas last year. And that was to really dwell on everything that the miracle of Christmas means. I blogged a little bit about this last year, and I’ve decided I want to continue the tradition. So for today, here are two things I think the story of Christmas clearly shows us:

1) God’s Love For us is Pure

Every time I think of the fact that the God of all the universe - full of splendor and riches and glory - came down from His throne to inhabit a fragile human body in this broken earth, it just blows my mind. It’s the story of a king turned slave to rescue the one he loves, the story of a love so wild that there is no room for pride or selfishness or even self-preservation.

This is God’s love to us. That’s one thing the Christmas story always reminds me of. There is no selfishness in His love for us. No malice - nothing but pure intentions and kindness and mercy. A love so pure and good and tender. How can we ever doubt that, when we consider the image of God’s own Son turned a tiny, helpless baby, all to restore us back to Himself?

2) God’s Plans Seem Unpredictable Sometimes - but His Promises Are Not

Nowadays, when we think of the story of Christmas we picture a cute little scene - Mary riding pregnant atop a donkey, stopping at a cozy inn and then ending up at a stable full of cuddly animals. But, let’s consider what it must have actually been like. First, there’s the fact that I’m sure that long donkey ride was uncomfortable for Mary, who was only hours away from giving birth. Then, she and Joseph arrive to a packed city, now having to worry about where they’re going to to sleep for the night - not to mention possibly deliver a baby.

The reality for Mary and Joseph must have looked quite messy that night. God had given them a promise, but now they were facing all sorts of inconveniences. I wonder if it might have made them doubt if this was supposed to be God’s plan after all.

Don’t we approach God’s plans like that in our own lives sometimes? We’ve heard the promise, but sometimes the process is confusing and not simple like we’d hoped it’d be. Sometimes there’s uncertainty and pain along the way, and we’re not sure why God would allow it. I mean, if it’s meant to be, shouldn’t it all come naturally?

But just like Jesus’ birth was uncomfortable and strange and unconventional - so are God’s plans sometimes. He doesn’t do things the way we expect or wish He would all the time. But His promises remain. They always hold true. Despite all the inconveniences of that night, Mary gave birth to Jesus in that stable. And he went on to save the world, just as the angel had told her.

#2016 #christian