Do you believe in Christmas miracles?
I’ve been thinking a lot about miracles lately. Because I’m asking for one. And since it’s Christmas, the thought of a Christmas miracle dances in the forefront of my mind, all sparkly and tied up with a satin bow. If you know me at all, you know I’m a “glass half empty” kinda girl, so there’s no need to tell me that the odds of a sparkly Christmas miracle are not in my favor. I’m also pretty realistic. I know that sometimes when we pray and God answers, those answers are nothing like we expected. Nevertheless, I’m praying for one. A Christmas miracle. I’ve had a few in the past and one is persistently tugging at my heart this morning, may I share it with you?
One Christmas, a long time ago, I found myself alone. Or that’s how it felt, no husband and 3 little babies to care for. We were spending the holiday with my parents. This was the first time in my young life, I remember feeling completely and totally without hope. In the tender hours of the night my tiny 4 week old baby boy woke crying, as babies tend to do. I scooped him up and quietly left my 2 little girls sleeping on their make-shift beds in the floor. After changing him and warming a bottle I was drawn into the living room. Probably because the lights on the Christmas tree were accidentally left on.
The tree was positioned in front of a wall of windows. I found myself staring outside. The cold night was starless-black. I couldn’t see anything. Only darkness. A thought shot through me, bringing with it an irrational terror; the darkness of this night would swallow me if I stood in it for too long. There would be nothing left where I used to be…only the darkness. My breath became fast and shallow. I was actually hyperventilating, looking out into the darkness of that night. Trying to slow my breathing, I turned away from the windows and folded myself small in the corner of the couch.
Settling in, there in front of the hundreds of tiny lights on the Christmas tree, something happened. I breathed deep. Warmth spread through me as I traced circles on the chubby rosy cheek of my now sleeping baby boy. Something good was in the darkness. In the stillness and the quiet I was at this moment profoundly aware that the God Who made the universe was right here with me.
After awhile, I tip-toed back to bed peaceful. I’d experienced a Christmas miracle. It wasn’t sparkly and tied with a bow. It was a tiny pinpoint of light called hope that found it’s way through my starless night.
I was wondering…have you ever experienced a Christmas miracle? Do you need one? If you think of it say a prayer for me and be certain, I’m saying a prayer for each of you who visit me …
Julie Garmon says
December 9, 2009 at 8:22 amYou did it again. Got me crying first thing in the morning. But it’s a good cry. What a powerful sentence–something good was in the darkness. I guess it always is. He’s always there, maybe even especially in the darkness.
My heart’s with yours.
Robin says
December 9, 2009 at 9:16 amJulie…you were crying because you walked this road with me. Have I said thank you lately…thank you. love u to the moon and back.
Bill (cycleguy) says
December 9, 2009 at 8:23 amRobin: you know I pray “dangerous” prayers for you every day. I will pray for your Christmas miracle (even though I have already prayed for you this morning!) I reckon it never hurts to pray more than once for someone. 🙂 Care to share contact me. In a way we hope to experience a miracle this year. My brother-in-law who lives in Alabama and whom we haven’t seen since 2001 is coming to Ohio to spend time with family. We plan to drive there to meet. My wife was able to get Saturday off so we could go since I have to be back here for Sunday. Thanks for the post. I truly live a wonderful life.
.-= Bill (cycleguy)´s last blog ..A Water Challenge =-.
Dad~. says
December 9, 2009 at 8:48 amGood morning Robin ~
In his book, Future Grace, John Piper says:
“There is a sense in which gratitude and faith are interwoven
joys that strengthen each other. As gratitude joyfully revels in
in the benefits of past grace, so faith joyfully relies on the
benefits of future grace. Therefore when gratitude for God’s past
grace is strong, the message is sent that God is supremely trustworthy
in the future because if what He has done in the past. In this way faith
is strengthened by a lively gratitude for God’s past trustworthiness.”
Only if we trust God to turn past calamities into future comfort
( a Christmas miracle ) can we look back with gratitude for ALL THINGS.
I have no greater joy than to here that my children walk in the Truth ~
3 John 4 ~
Agape~
Robin says
December 9, 2009 at 9:15 amLove John Piper, I had to read this twice to get it though 🙂 But it’s profound and I took hope that in fact, my faith is being strengthened.
jeanne says
December 9, 2009 at 8:56 amI have experienced a few true miracles in my life. Not at Christmas time,
but at other times. Sometimes we are so inside of ourselves we fail to see
God around us each and everyday.
velvet says
December 9, 2009 at 9:26 amRobin,
I pray for you and I pray your miracle happens. I am praying for a miracle too. My miracle is HUGE. And with this miracle prayer, I tend to be “the glass half empty too.” But I know our Lord is bigger than any need we have and bigger than any hope we have. Hope in Him is all we have and Hope in Him is all we need.
Prayers and Hugs,
Velvet
P.S. You are an awesome writer. Really!
Robin says
December 9, 2009 at 11:15 amPraying for you too…Hugs
deb says
December 9, 2009 at 12:44 pmPrayers and wishes that you receive your Christmas miracle.
May the joy of an abundant life be with you this holiday season.
Peace,
Deb
.-= deb´s last blog ..BB =-.
Jon Smith says
December 9, 2009 at 2:20 pmLife is full of miracles, Christmas and otherwise. C.S. Lewis said:
“Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see.” (Miracles are small, amazing things in the midst of one huge amazing miracle God is playing out in the earth. Everything that happens is part of His story. He knows what’s up.)
Praying for a small, amazing thing to happen for you in the middle of God’s big amazing story.
.-= Jon Smith´s last blog ..I’d Rather Not Talk About It =-.
Robin says
December 9, 2009 at 5:56 pmGosh Jon…that’s awesome. I love that concept. Well said.
Pinky says
December 9, 2009 at 3:00 pmRobin, read this early this morning and am going to e-mail you some GOOD things I read that might help you. Praying for you and that your miracle comes to you! XOXO, Pinky
Pinky says
December 9, 2009 at 3:03 pmHave never experienced a Christmas miracle but other times, YES!!!! Sometimes I think we do get a miracle and don’t see it. YOu.ve really got me thinking my friend…..
jane carter says
December 9, 2009 at 3:45 pmWhat a beautiful story….it really touched my heart. Sometimes I think a miracle is just God’s way of letting us feel His presence on a truly personal level…as He did on that quiet night when you held a sleeping baby in your arms. It’s really such a miracle that God takes those little moments with us individually because we matter so much to Him! As mighty as He is, He still cares for each one of us on a personal and intimate level. What a Blessing!
Praying for Him to touch you in a special way this holiday season.
Jane
.-= jane carter´s last blog ..Christmas Blessings and Simple Ideas =-.
beth says
December 9, 2009 at 5:27 pmGreat post….got me thinking and yes I have had miracles happen before…I think as long as God is with you there will be miracles when sees for you to have them.
.-= beth´s last blog ..BULLDAWG BRITTLE =-.
Casey says
December 10, 2009 at 12:05 pmRobin, will be praying for you and knowing that God will take care of anything you need. I believe each of us need our own miracle and there’s nothing better than all of us praying together for each other. We’ll be a chorus unto the Lord. Thank you for sharing this morning. It was something I totally needed to focus on.
Sherri S says
December 10, 2009 at 11:50 pmRobin, a touching memory indeed. Yes, please tuck a prayer in for me. I know there is ‘light and warmth’ in that quiet still darkness. Just sometimes I have to dig really deep to find it within me. At 45, there are days I wonder…will I leave this life without a partner to share the rest of my days? I love my children and am so very blessed to have them…yet, they have their own lives…as they should. I’m so very grateful to be a part of a wonderful community of extraordinary women that blog!
.-= Sherri S´s last blog ..And the winner is…. =-.
Robin says
December 11, 2009 at 8:36 amSherri…I’m going to email you precious one. I am praying.
Erika Chapman says
December 11, 2009 at 12:39 amMmmm…so good Robin:) I’ll be praying. Praying for 5 Christmas miracles. I know, I know, but we serve a big God and I tend to be a “glass half full kind of girl”. God is way better than Santa. Like that commercial where one little girl asked for a toy pony and then the next girl asked for a real pony and she got one! The first little girl said, “I didn’t know we could ask for the real thing!”. I am learning it is okay to ask big and ask specifically. If he doesn’t answer exactly my way it doesn’t mean He loves me any less, but I can certainly ask. I want to know specifically what my boys want…not just vague ideas. He wants me to voice what is really in my heart. Anyways, thanks for a great post and I’ll be praying:)
Sending Christmas love filled with hope your way!
Erika
.-= Erika Chapman´s last blog ..Treasured =-.
Robin says
December 11, 2009 at 8:34 amErika…prayers for you too my friend. I love it that you’re a glass half full girl. hugs
gitz says
December 23, 2009 at 12:06 am*sigh* When I read this I wished I could travel through time and sit with you on that couch, friend. But thankfully, He’s always with you.
I’ll be praying that whatever miracle you’re praying for, you receive.
.-= gitz´s last blog ..Brought to You by the Letter K =-.