In many ways, the Christmas story shouts out loud the presence of God. From two miraculous pregnancies (John the Baptist and Jesus) to angelic choirs; from Divine visitations to the mysterious Magi with royal gifts, God’s power is on open display. And yet, even in the Advent, there is a certain restraint. After all, Jesus was born through a peasant woman in Bethlehem, he didn’t walk down a giant heavenly staircase in Rome. And while there was a generous smattering of miracles accompanying Jesus’ birth, God’s entry into the world happened largely unnoticed. Strange. God enters the world and most people missed it. 

I look at the Christmas story and I get envious. Oh, how I long for the miraculous in my life- a miraculous healing, a miraculous provision of money (Publishers Clearing House would be fine; Lord, I’m not supposed to play the lottery), the audible voice of God or a visitation of an angel telling me what direction to go or how to deal with a difficult relationship. But for whatever reason, by and large, God seems to deal with me through the ordinary- a sale on tires at Merchants or NTB right when I need it or an encouraging phone call from a friend at a time of discouragement; the reading of scripture, a book or even an online devotional that meets me precisely where I’m at. And while I’m thankful for these interventions, I often wish that God was more flashy- kind of like in the Christmas story. I do wonder, however, if my desire for the exceptional blinds me to the ordinary. By looking for the big, do I sometimes miss the little? 

A little miracle happened here on Sunday night. Some may not even call it miraculous, but it was to those who experienced it. Our food pantry and Kids Quest put on a three course spaghetti dinner for about 70 of our neighbors who use the food pantry on a regular basis. Each table was hosted by an ODBC family or children. It could have been an awkward mixing of language, culture and social class, but it wasn’t. Instead, it was friendly and joyful; a beautiful sharing of a meal together. Bilingual members of our congregation provided translation for the times of warm conversation. Was that a miracle? 

A week before, elementary aged children packed and wrapped shoe boxes of toys and toiletries as Christmas gifts for the children who would be attending. During the dinner, they served tables, bringing trays of salad, spaghetti, bread, beverage and desserts to families. My kids can’t remember to clear their breakfast dishes or pick up their own socks, but here they were graciously serving families with the loving hands of Jesus. Was that a miracle? 

I remember how the concept for the food pantry started. On a mission prayer walk 14 months ago we listed on a whiteboard existing ministries of the church that needed support. This whiteboard was prominently displayed at a station for people to pray at as they walked the prayer walk. Pastor John participated in the prayer walk early in the week and misunderstood the intent of the station. He wrote “food pantry” and several other ideas on the board, thinking that the board was intended to be an ongoing list of existing and potential ministries. Unknown to me, it remained on the board all week. A few days later I got a call from Heidi O’Donnell. “We’re starting a food pantry?” She asked. The rest is history. Now, after our church has served 168 families this year, it’s my turn to ask: Was that a miracle? 

At Gil Portillo’s table a nine year old boy shared that he had just broken his favorite toy- a little ambulance. His family didn’t have any money to get him one for Christmas. He was heartbroken. When the time for opening the shoe boxes came, he received his wrapped box that had been packed the week before. He opened the box and in there was a little toy ambulance which he received with tears of joy. Was that a miracle? 

At my wife’s table a family received their gifts but none of the children opened their boxes. They sat wide eyed and poker straight in their chairs. Thinking that the family had misunderstood, my wife attempted to explain that “Yes, it would be OK for the children to open their gifts” and “No, it wouldn’t be a problem if they got loud and noisy playing at the church.” In broken English the mother explained that they wanted to save the gifts so they had something to open on Christmas morning. My wife cried and so has everyone who has heard this story. Are these Jesus’ tears? 

Don’t let your hunger for a “miracle of Biblical proportions” blind you to the “ordinary” miracles that are occurring all around us. This Christmas may God give you eyes to see his activity and his invitation for you to join it.