The miracle of Christmas

Every year in this holiday season, we ponder the miracle of the Christmas story. And it certainly is a miraculous story — with angelic visions, a King born in a stable, and a bright new star in the sky. But do miracles belong only to stories from yesteryear, or do they still happen today? If one were to look for modern miracles, perhaps there’s no better place to look than this magical time of the year, the Christmas season. 

Miracles take many forms, of course, and many of them are subtle and quiet. But who can say that miracles of forgiving and trusting others, of exercising faith in the face of despair and doubt, are less powerful than a visit from an angel? 

Consider, for example, the Christmas miracle of reaching out to a long-lost friend. Recently, one man was determined to find again a dear friend he had not seen in more than 25 years. They now lived thousands of miles apart, but when business took the man near his friend’s town, he drove two hours to try to meet him. Sadly, he wasn’t home, but the man was able to get his phone number, and they were able to talk with each other finally for the first time in decades. What a joyous reunion! They reconnected, they wondered why they had let so much time go by, and they committed to stay in touch. 

Christmas is a time for reconnecting with family, with friends, and with God. It is a time to rekindle faith, and that’s what makes Christmas such a miraculous season. After all, a miracle is an act of faith. And faith is so much more than wishful and positive thinking. Faith is loving, giving, and gathering in the face of opposition; faith is celebrating in the midst of heartache; faith is enjoying the wonder of this season even when life may not seem very wonderful. 

Do angels still appear at Christmastime? Yes, and you and I can be the angel. In a simple but very real way, we can be the bright star that guides weary travellers with heavenly light and love, with renewed friendship and faith. What miracle could be more precious at Christmastime?

Christmastime is a season of beloved songs and stories, of treasured memories and traditions. People of all faiths and cultures can sense that something changes for the better at this time of year. In the most personal and intimate ways, Christmas brings people together.

What does Christmas mean to you? One couple learned something about the meaning of this special season several years ago when, the day after Christmas, their infant son passed away. Each year since that tragic event, they have placed a Christmas stocking by the fireplace in his memory.

The couple has made it a tradition at Christmastime to visit the cemetery where their son was buried. Every time they do, they discover that someone has already been there and has placed something special on the baby’s small grave: some flowers, a stuffed animal, a little toy. They tried for years to discover who the good-hearted giver could be; they asked family and friends, but no one would admit to leaving the gifts. 

One year, heavy snowstorms made travelling difficult, and the couple was unable to visit the grave until several days later than usual. When they finally did make it to the cemetery, they were surprised to find on the grave a small, decorated Christmas tree, covered with snow. They were deeply moved; someone still cared so much about their grief and loss that they were willing to brave the snowstorms to show their compassion. 

This couple never found out who the caring person was, and they have decided to stop investigating. The benevolent giver, after all, wanted to remain anonymous. So instead, they try to treat everyone as if he or she might be “the giver.” Their need to thank their unidentified friend has been replaced with a desire to simply live better. Now they pause to examine their hearts a little more, and they ask: Why do we give? Are we hoping to be praised or recognised, or do we give because we love, because we care?

For them, the true meaning of Christmas is symbolised by a little Christmas tree, “half-buried in snow, resting in a quiet cemetery.” It reminds them of the great gifts so abundant in this joyous season: pure love, compassion, kindheartedness. It brings to mind the greatest gift of love, given to the world some 2,000 years ago. Such gifts are what give Christmas its deepest meaning. 

BY SAMUEL ENOS EGHAN