The Christmas Miracle, the Advent
Hi everyone! It’s almost Christmas, can you believe it?! It feels like just the other day we were enjoying the crisp winter or rainy air, and now the lights are up, and the smell of gingerbread is in the air. This time of year is so magical, isn’t it? It makes our hearts feel all warm and fuzzy. But Christmas isn’t just about presents and yummy food. It’s about a BIG, HUGE gift that God gave us long, long ago. And sometimes, the best stories remind us of these special things in a way that’s easy to understand, just like when we were little kids.
This time is called Advent, and it’s a special time of waiting, where we get ready for Christmas in our hearts. We have four Sundays in Advent, each with its own special meaning.
- On the first Sunday, we were reminded of hope, looking forward to when Jesus will come again.
- Then, the second Sunday helped us remember peace, and to look inside our hearts to be ready for Christ.
- The third Sunday was about joy, celebrating the nearness of Christmas and the light of God coming into the world.
- And now, on this fourth Sunday, we focus on love, the greatest gift of all, which God gave to us through Jesus. And it’s in that light that we remember Mr Martin’s story!
Remember Mr. Martin and His Christmas Miracle?
Do you remember the story of Mr. Martin, the cobbler? Maybe your grandma or grandpa read it to you, or you saw it in a picture book. Mr. Martin was a kind man, but he was a bit lonely. He lived a simple life, fixing shoes, and reading his Bible. One night, he had a dream, a VERY special dream. He dreamt that Jesus was coming to visit him! Oh my! Can you imagine that? He was SO excited!
He cleaned up his little shop, got a warm fire going, and waited. Mr Martin kept peering out the window, looking for Jesus to arrive. All day long, people came by: a street sweeper, a hungry woman with a baby, and a tired old man, they came to Mr Martin. He was kind to them. He gave the street sweeper some warm tea and a bit of bread, the hungry mother and child food and a little chair to sit on and finally, the old man a resting place. But Jesus didn’t seem to come and Mr Martin got sad.
The Miracle, what happened?
At the end of the day, feeling a little downhearted, Mr. Martin realized something. He had been so busy looking for Jesus, that he almost missed Him! Jesus had come to him, but He came in disguise. He came in the people he helped! It was when Mr Martin showed kindness, compassion, and love, that he saw and met Jesus. Oh, isn’t that amazing? It reminds me of something Jesus said: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
The Present and Miracle of All: God’s Love
Mr. Martin’s story reminds us about the real gift of Christmas. It’s not about the toys or games under the tree. The miracle and real gift is God’s incredible love. He loves us SO MUCH that He sent His Son, Jesus, to be born as a tiny baby, so that He could grow up and show us how to live. Jesus came to teach us to love, to be kind, and to always choose to believe in the good that God has for each of us. It is all about believing!
The Bible tells us, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16). That’s a HUGE promise! God’s love is like a giant warm hug that lasts forever. This is the true essence of salvation.
Why is it important to BELIEVE, especially now?
You know, just like Mr Martin, sometimes we get so busy looking for things, that we forget to notice the really important things. We get caught up in wrapping presents and going to parties, we forget that God is near. We forget that God’s love is always with us and we need to believe that. It is not enough to know, we have to truly believe.
Yes, we live in times when things are happening very fast. Everything seems to be coming at us from all sides. It’s easy to get lost in the noise, the sadness, and sometimes the fears around us. But just like the star that led the wise men to baby Jesus, we need to look for the Light, for God’s love in our lives.
It is at this time, during this Advent, that we need to choose to believe and accept the gift of salvation that Jesus offered. We need to open our eyes, and our hearts, and BELIEVE. And when we choose to believe in His love, we can also choose to love others in the same way. This is the key!
Jesus’ Way
Jesus taught us SO MUCH about love. He showed us how to be kind to people who others might ignore. He spent time with people who were sick and sad. Jesus healed people and showed mercy. He taught us to forgive each other and to always turn the other cheek when we are hurt. And yes, He showed us how to love not just our friends, but even our enemies.
He said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34). This Christmas season, and all the time, let’s try to be like Jesus. Let’s share our love with others. Let’s remember God’s mercy and extend it to those in need of it.
It’s Time to Love, Time to Live, Time to BE, the Miracle
This Advent season is a special time, like a little bridge leading us to the real Christmas joy. It’s time to be ready, to open our hearts and to live as if Jesus is coming to see us today. Because the truth is, He is. He comes in every person we meet. And He comes in through every moment that we choose to love.
This is why Mr. Martin’s story is so special. He wasn’t just waiting for Jesus to come; he was living as Jesus would have wanted him to live. And in that, he finally “met” Jesus.
So, let’s think of the hungry, the sad, those in need and the lonely when we are choosing our Christmas presents this year, let’s be the miracle of the love of God with them. This season, let’s be ready to love. Let’s be ready to give. Let’s be ready to forgive. And most of all, let’s choose to believe.
Remember, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). He invites us to His love, to His mercy, to His peace. He says, “Come!” The time is now.
Before We Say Goodbye… Becoming the Miracle
This Christmas, it’s not enough to just read the stories, we need to truly live them, to become the miracles in motion for many around us. Are you like Mr. Martin still waiting for Jesus to show up? Yes, He did. Did you let Him touch, speak and listen to those around you through you as a vessel?
Here is something to think about;
- Who did you “meet” today?
- Did you see someone who needed a smile, a kind word, or maybe just someone who felt a bit lonely?
- How did you “see” Jesus in them today? Were you the miracle they have been waiting for?
- Did you obey the Spirit in action?
- How did you live like Christ today?
- Did you show love, kindness, or forgiveness to anyone?
- Did you give away something you had or share something you own?
- What small thing did you believe in today?
- Did you choose to trust in God, even when things were difficult or sad?
- Did you actively see and become the blessings in your day?
- What can you do tomorrow to love like Jesus?
- Is there someone you can help?
- Or somewhere you can volunteer?
- Is there a friend you can pray for?
Let’s take these thoughts into our hearts, this Advent and keep them with us always. Let’s choose to live each day as if Jesus is coming to visit us because, in a way, He always is.
Happy Holidays, everyone! Merry Christ’s Day! He says come! The time is over and the time is now!
May your hearts be full of the amazing love of God this Christmas and always!
And may this be a season of miracles for many, because, we have chosen to become the miracles!
Yours, Karah!
Discover more from Yours, Karah
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.