I know it seems early, but we are fast-approaching the season of Advent, which leads up to the day Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.  As you can imagine, it is quite challenging to find just one theme or idea to think on at this time.  We have the word, “advent,” which has multiple definitions, i.e. “a coming into place, view, or being; arrival,” or “the coming of Christ into the world.”  We have a theme of “birth,” which also has multiple definitions, i.e. “an act or instance of being born,” or “any coming into existence; origin; beginning.”  We also frequently hear the word “miracle,” which can be defined as: “such an effect or event manifesting or considered as a work of God,” or “one that excites admiring awe.”   What strikes me deeply is how powerfully-connected these few words are to our appreciation of Christmas.   We understand the feeling of expectation brought on by the arrival of Christ – it is woven throughout the Bible in the prophetic tales of the coming Messiah.  And, each one of us has experienced the “coming into existence” that happened upon our own births.  Finally, we are certainly awestruck by the multiple miracles that came into being following that first miracle of Christ-child’s virgin birth.  Think on this, however:  As interconnected as these three words are to our thoughts on Christmas, we now have other themes that clamor loudly and quite forcefully for our attention during this very holy time of the year.  We are bombarded with advertisements telling us that we MUST have this item or that in order to be happy.  We MUST buy this toy for our child or we’ll be bad parents.  We MUST spend beyond our means for things that, in the end, are simply not miraculous.  Am I thrilled to have something like the computer I am typing on (or TV, iPod, cell phone, etc.)?  Honestly, yes, because these things do make my life easier and more enjoyable.  Can I call these things “miraculous?”  In a sense, possibly – because it is amazing that technology has advanced to where it is today.  BUT, is it miraculous in the sense that it will bring us to new life in the Kingdom of Heaven?  Absolutely not!  So, when we are looking at those miracles that make our lives easier here on earth, let us not forget the Miracle(with a capital M) that ensures our everlasting life with our Father.  Let us not be blindsided by the “promises” of material comfort so much that we neglect to spend time celebrating the spiritual comfort we are so mercifully and miraculously given by the birth of our Savior. 
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