We know the phrase, "the miracle of Christmas." Do we know what it is? Well, sure we do. It's about how everyone loves everyone at this particular time of year.
Well, of course, that's simply not true. There is no small number of people that get grumpier at this time of year. Or sadder. It's not miraculous for some people.
So, what is the miracle of Christmas? Santa Clause? Well, of course, if he was real, that might be a miracle, but that "if" is a problem, isn't it? Nope. Not Santa.
What, then?
You might think of the miracle of the Virgin Birth. That miracle has been "Christian" from the beginning. That was miraculous. There is the whole "angels and the shepherds" story. That was miraculous. The magi that traveled to visit, complete with a warning from God to go another way home was miraculous. There is a lot to Christmas that was miraculous. But which of them constituted "the miracle of Christmas"?
Well, of course, one answer is "All of them." Together they form a large miracle. But the real miracle is Christ Himself. The real miracle is that "He was in the form of God," but didn't consider that something to be held onto. Instead, He "emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" (Php 2:6-7). God Incarnate. That was the miracle of Christmas. That He came at all. That was the miracle. That "He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (Php 2:8). That was the real miracle.
We wonder sometimes, "If God is so good and so loving and so powerful, why aren't more saved? Why aren't all saved?" In the face of "God taking on the form of man," the question isn't "Why not more?" The question is "Why is there any? Why is there one?" That He came at all and came to save some of those who have rebelled against Him -- that is the miracle of Christmas. Joy to the world!
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