The Walk His Way team thought it would be fun to take a little stroll down memory lane this Christmas season. Please enjoy our newest mini-series, Christmas Revisited, a collection of devotionals from years past that we hope will remind, comfort, and encourage you as you walk through this holiday season.

“I am doing this so all who see this miracle will understand what it means–that it is the LORD who has done this, the Holy One of Israel who created it.” Isaiah 41:20 NLT

The Miracle of Christmas

Christmas Revisited

One of my best Christmas memories followed probably the worst year of my life. My dad had committed suicide that August, I was under severe pressure at work, and our two teenage children weren’t living with us–one of them was on the streets and we hadn’t heard from him in far too long.

Then the miracle of Christmas happened…my mom and in-laws came down from the mountains and both our kids came home. We knew they were safe, warm and fed. There was peace in our home. They were embarrassed because they didn’t have gifts for us. Our son actually didn’t open his gifts until many months later, because he felt unworthy to receive them. We told them with tears in our eyes that their being home was the best gift they could have ever given us.

I took pictures of the kids with family: our six-foot tall, dreadlocked son curled up on his dad’s lap, andmy oldest daughter with her grandpa loving on her, with her allowing it. We were close once again. In the midst of all this our littlest one had created a precious nativity scene. The usual Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus, shepherds, wise men and sheep…with a few additions: a wedding cake topper, Christmas ornaments fresh off the tree, and her mittens and hat, in case anyone got cold! It was all so beautiful.

The real nativity scene must have been an incredible sight to behold–that first Christmas miracle over 2,000 years ago. The baby in the manger, the one who would become our Lord and Savior. “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:11-12).

Like my son, are you feeling too unworthy to open your gifts? They have already been paid for and are waiting for you. Foremost is the gift of salvation: “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9); forgiveness: “For You, Lord, are kind and ready to forgive, rich in faithful love to all who call on You” (Psalm 86:5 HCSB); and peace: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3), to name but a few.

And don’t forget about spiritual gifts! Have you accepted them, and are you using them? “God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10 NLT).

“Lord, as we celebrate the miraculous gift of Your Son that first Christmas long ago, may we be mindful of, and willing to accept, the gifts that You have chosen just for us this Christmas. Amen.”