Christmas Wonder

When I was a child, my family's Christmas tree stood in the living room from Christmas Eve until the Feast of Epiphany on January 6, the date the arrival of the three Magi in Bethlehem is celebrated.

We had a Nativity set, which was always arranged under the tree. On Christmas Eve, my sister and I would take the three wise men and place them waaay back behind the tree. Then day by day through those 12 days of Christmas, we'd march them forward towards the stable.

Today, I struggle against the attitude that the magic of Christmas is over as soon as the last gift has been unwrapped on Christmas morning.  Really? The true miracle of Christmas begins with the birth of the Christ Child, a helpless babe, who grew up to profoundly change the world with his message of peace, love, and forgiveness.

It's easy to think that miracles don't happen anymore -- not in our world -- but it's simply not true!  Every time a child is born, is that not a miracle of the highest order?  And angels? Just last week, an angel appeared in the Walmart parking lot, to help me change a tire in the pouring rain.  I know he was really an angel, because no earthly power could have got those lug nuts loose!

Believe in the miracle of Christmas, and you will see signs and wonders everywhere.