The Miracle

When we look at the event of Christmas, we see nothing but miracles. What are these miracles?

The Trinity

Some time ago, I was surprised when someone I was unfamiliar with asked me: “If Jesus is God, how could God be in heaven and on earth at the same time?” 

From a human point of view, we have to stand in amazement before this question of the Trinity of God (God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) and say: “Right, impossible.” 

If our faith depended on human wisdom and logic, it would fail. But thank God, faith extends far beyond our human capacity for thought. Looking up to God’s power and omnipotence, faith is based on His Word. 

“When the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 3:4-6). 

God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit united in the unique, incomprehensible work of salvation for us. Praise God for this miracle. 

The omnipotence of God displayed in a child

This too is beyond our comprehension. The Almighty Creator of the earth and the universe, who holds everything in His hand and fills the whole universe with His presence, humbled Himself and came to us as a child! When we hold a small baby in our arms, helpless and completely dependent, our minds cannot reconcile the reality of this thought. It seems like a contradiction. Yet divinity and humanity united in Jesus, who was born as a child. An astounding miracle!

Born of a virgin

Born of a virgin? That is unrealistic, isn’t it? When the angel announced the birth of Christ to Mary, the mother of Jesus, Mary was shocked and said: “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 

And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:34–35). 

It is of importance that the angel added: “For with God nothing will be impossible” (verse 37).

We humans are so inclined that we wish to understand everything and be able to explain it logically before we accept it. But here the angel makes it clear that God can do much more than we humans can understand and comprehend. At this point, we again encounter the miracle of the Trinity. God, through the Holy Spirit, performs a miracle.

The heavenly welcome

Never before, throughout all history, has a royal child had angels announce its birth and a choir of angels appear when it was born. But heaven was set in motion when this child was born. 

Angels appeared several times. First, an angel announced the birth of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus. Then an angel spoke to Mary. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, and angels also announced the actual birth of Jesus Himself. It was an angel who came down from heaven to tell the shepherds in the field that Christ was born. He was joined by the heavenly hosts saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14). A tremendous choir, indeed! 

A special star appeared in the sky, leading the searching wise men from the East to the newborn child.

Heaven was present at this event!

Rejected by men – the miracle of humility

While heaven rejoiced and celebrated, Jesus was rejected by men. There was not even room for Him in the inn. 

No royal reception, no palace and riches! He was born in a stable and was then laid in a manger, a feeding trough for animals. What debasement God took upon Himself here! What an act of humility! What an astounding miracle that the King of kings descended so low. 

The earthly parents of Jesus were not royal or upper-class either. His father was a carpenter. People at that time said things like, “Is this not the carpenter’s son? (Matthew 13:55) and “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). Yes, a heavenly king became a lowly citizen and had to deal with rejection and contempt. 

In fact, the parents had to flee with the child to Egypt to escape having the child murdered by Herod. Here too God sent an angel to advise the parents. The reason was that King Herod was afraid that the newborn child would vie for his throne. 

Only a few people recognized that this child was the Savior of the world and the promised Messiah.

The greatest miracle

The greatest miracle of all is that this child actually gave His life as a personal sacrifice for you and me. The idea that Jesus came for all people and bore the sins of all mankind is easier to grasp. But the fact that Jesus, apart from all other people, made this sacrifice just for ME is almost too mind-boggling to comprehend. Yet, it is true. He had you and me in mind when He gave His life and shed His blood for us.

The child grew to become an adult. In Luke 2:40, we read, “And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” He lived in obedience to His heavenly Father and fulfilled His will until He died on the cross. 

The miracle of salvation is fulfilled with the cross and the resurrection. The great plan of salvation is complete. 

In this Child, we have everything we need to be redeemed and eternally happy. “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).

It is in wonder and adoration that we contemplate the great miracle of the incarnation. We remember the manger and give Jesus our thanks and adoration! We will experience a final miracle when we will one day bow our own knees in front of the throne of the King of kings and join with many thousands in thanks, praise, and adoration. 

Have you experienced the miracle of salvation and accepted it for yourself personally? 

May God make this miracle of a tiny Child in the manger important and meaningful to us.

Dina Grötzinger 

Eppingen, Germany