There’s something about the Christmas season that is simply magical. Two of the things I really like are the sights and sounds. My taste in the music of Christmas is a bit eclectic: I love ‘O Holy Night’ but I can easily join in when I hear ‘Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.’ (Perhaps not my proudest moment…) Don’t even get me started on the lights. Popping with colors or stunning in white-I find them mesmerizing. I’m pretty fond of Christmas sugar cookies too, occasionally eating them Christmas morning for breakfast. (Don’t judge me; I’ve penciled that in my schedule again this year.) Christmas feels like a beautiful present filled glad tidings and great joy. Simply put: magical.
From the beginning, Christmas was always going to be magical. On that first Christmas Eve, the night began unremarkable for the shepherds. But then an angel showed up and ordinary flew, (pardon the pun), right out the window. “Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them.” (Luke 2:9, NLT). Imagine getting to experience that miracle-an angel talking…to you. But wait-there’s more! The angel announces the arrival of the Messiah, in the form of a precious baby. “The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord–has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” With the baby Jesus entering this world, the door called hope was opened. (Luke 2:11, NLT) But wait-there’s more! “Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others–the armies of heaven–praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.'”(Luke 2:13-14, NLT) Who needs a miracle? Who needs their circumstances to change? Step through the door of hope this Christmas, because it’s simply magical and abounding in miracles.
Things to do today:
- Believe in miracles.
- You can also read another blog called ‘Miracles Still Happen’ and listen to two songs called ‘O Holy Night’ and ‘Hope was Born This Night’.
Recently, my mom and I were driving along and suddenly came upon a dense fog. The visibility was better when we were in populated areas with a lot of lights, but it decreased as we headed towards the country roads. It was strange to have a destination in mind, but not be able to see too far ahead. We kept peering through the darkness to see if we recognized landmarks and strained to read the road signs. To our surprise, as we drove down a quiet country road, suddenly the fog lifted and we could see clearly. It was quite a relief to see the entire road in front of us and even look into the distance and see exactly where we were headed.
Early in the morning as I drive to work each day, I see someone walking their dog. It’s pitch black outside, and more than a little chilly that time of day, and yet someone is faithfully walking the family pet. The best part about seeing the pair is watching as the flashlight being carried carves a path of light in the darkness. Every step their feet, (and paws), takes is illuminated by one small flashlight. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (John 1:5)