I believe in miracles. I believe that miracles happen all around us everyday; it's just that we are too busy in our own little worlds to notice them.
Honestly, this year I've been having a little trouble getting into the Christmas spirit. As I was looking for some way of putting into words how I was feeling, I remembered something that my old friend, the Grinch, once said, "...the whole Christmas season is stupid, stupid, stupid!" I was hating everything about the season. The pressure of getting gifts for people. Having to walk past those obnoxiously loud bell ringers just to go into a store. Picking out and cutting down the Christmas tree. And my Scrooge list goes on and on.
And then I witnessed something. Something of a miracle if you will. I was sitting in my family room when my wife said that she would like some help getting out the rest of the Christmas decorations. I grumbled something about how we didn't need anymore decorations and that the house looked fine. Keep in mind that at this point she had already decorated the tree by herself and put the Christmas lights outside by herself. I thought to myself..."why does she do this every year?" As if she was reading my mind, she said, "Because it's Christmas."
And with those words my hardened heart began to melt. I thought how foolish I'd been; focusing on all of the "things" that I'd grown to hate about Christmas instead of focusing on the spirit of the season. The reason Donna works so hard each year to decorate the house and make everything just right is because she has the right state of mind. She gets it. She understands that this time of year is about giving. It's about celebrating peace and joy. It's about celebrating the life that was given to us in the form of an infant.
And so the miracle I witnessed took place in my heart. Sometimes the greatest miracles come with the smallest fanfare. Just like the night that Jesus was born. It was as if I could see Christmas the way I did as a child; with all the wonderment and fascination that surrounds the season. I no longer wanted to punch the bell ringers in the face. I looked forward to surprising loved ones with super cool gifts. I looked at our tree and saw that it was perfect! It truly was a Christmas miracle!
As I look back now on my former Scrooge-like self, I realize that Christmas is in the heart. When your heart is right with God, there is a natural flow of peace and goodwill that helps your eyes see the true meaning of everything that is Christmas.
I think I'll stop now and go kiss my little miracle worker. xoxoxox
Be Well.
Bill
