A few Old Testament quotes speak to the importance of remembering and believing in miracles:
“Remember the wonders he [God] has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced” (1 Chron. 16:12, NIV).
“He [God] performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted” (Job 5:9, NIV).
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago…. You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples” (Ps. 77:11, 14 NIV).
These instructions were not just for the people of long ago; they are just as relevant today as they were back when. Christmas, while not a term found in the Bible, is about great Bible wonders and miracles that point to the coming of Messiah, Immanuel. All of the miracles and wonders that surround Christmastime are to be marveled at with wonder and awe, for the God of this universe has installed His Son and our King on His holy hill. The events may not be understood completely, but to dismiss the relevancy of the miracles which escort to earth God’s only begotten Son is to dilute Christmas of its power and the peace that was intended on Christmas Day. Remember His wonders with an open heart; believe with unshakeable faith in the greatest gift ever given to man! Jesus is always and forever the reason for the season of Christmas. The power of His birth is seen throughout the world every Christmas Day.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NIV).
God knows that believing in miracles leads people to repent, to change, to turn. Miracles are not within our grasp to perform so we, in turn, look up and honor the One who performs supernatural works. God gets our attention with miracles, but only if we believe. Jesus spoke to several towns of His day for their lack of faith in His miracles:
“And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day” (Matt. 11:23, NIV).
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes” (Luke 10:13, NIV).
Peter’s words should ring true every day and especially on Christmas Day:
“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know” (Acts 2:22, NIV). Jesus came into Bethlehem’s manger through miracles, wonders, and signs. After His baptism in the Jordan, Jesus lived and taught in Judea for three years with miracles, wonders, and signs. His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension were likewise filled with miracles, wonders, and signs. His last words of prophecy to people on earth were filled with miracles, wonders, and signs.
Beautiful Christmas carols that preserve the wonder and awe of this special day have been penned for hundreds of years. Today let us reflect on the carols written by James Montgomery and Placide Cappeau (translated by John Dwight), both in the 1800s.
“Angels from the Realms of Glory”
Angels from the realms of glory,
wing your flight o’er all the earth;
ye who sang creation’s story
now proclaim Messiah’s birth.
Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;
yonder shines the infant light.
Sages, leave your contemplations,
brighter visions beam afar;
seek the great Desire of nations;
ye have seen his natal star.
Saints, before the altar bending,
watching long in hope and fear;
suddenly the Lord, descending,
in his temple shall appear.
Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King.
“O Holy Night”
(verse 2)
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
with glowing hearts by his cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
here came the Wise Men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
in all our trials born to be our Friend.
He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King, before him lowly bend!
Behold your King, before him lowly bend!
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