Life's Simple Miracles

Life’s Simple Miracles

As I’m writing this Blog, God delivered a beautiful, yet simplistic miracle occurring outside my window. It’s Friday, December 4th, 2009 and snow is pouring from the sky. Growing up in the north, snow was a common occurrence this time of year but in Texas, this is simply a beautiful gift to treasure. Ironically God gives us simple miracles every day, yet we tend to only notice the elaborate, like the falling of snow in this part of the country. However, the simple pleasure of pouring a cup of coffee in the morning is a miracle. Getting out of bed is also a simple miracle. The list goes on and on. But as we live out our days, what God gives as miracles, we tend to perceive simply as a mere occurrence.
The birth of our Savior is just a few weeks away. Many will celebrate this day overlooking the miracle of a virgin being the mother of our King of King’s because Christmas for us has become just another holiday where we find ourselves overwhelmed by the list of preparations behind planning the perfect event.
For years, I fretted over Christmas cards, shopping and what to cook. When Christmas Eve finally arrived, I found myself too busy in the kitchen to enjoy the simple pleasures of conversations occurring in the other room. Never again will I allow this holiday to rob me of what it truly means for the Christian believer: Jesus is the reason for the season!
We must remember Christ wasn’t born under perfect conditions. In fact, He was born in a barn with animals and very little provisions. Yet, I believe the conditions and place of Jesus’ birth wasn’t what God deemed important. The significance lies not in the preparations of the event, but in the preparation of our hearts as we celebrate this miraculous event with the understanding of God’s mercy and grace for our lives. God didn’t have to lower Himself to our level and save us from our sinful nature. He didn’t have to walk on this earth as a man showing us how to live as an example of our faith. He didn’t have to perform the hundreds if not thousands of miracles that we read about in the Bible. Nor does He have to provide the miracles today, big or small as a reflection of His love for us. When we really think about it, the number of miracles God has given us are too numerous to count. The real question becomes,
“What are we going to do to honor Jesus this season and every
remaining day of our earthly lives?”

This holiday season, I pray that we spend time every day thanking God for all the things He didn’t have to do and also thanking Him for all that He continues to do in our lives.
Merry Christmas. Say it with pride, honor, love and respect. May this day be filled with the simple miracle of the gift of life given from our gracious Lord.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of the 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 clothes and lying in a manger.”
(Luke 2:8-12)