From ancient civilizations, mankind has always held a fascination with the extraordinary. Ancient man marvelled at celestial phenomena and the awe-inspiring wonders of the world around him and consistently sought explanations for what seemed unexplainable.

For example, in ancient Egypt, the pyramids are viewed as a feat beyond human capability and thus were attributed to divine accomplishments. The ancient Greeks developed myths of gods and heroes performing extraordinary deeds, and in medieval Europe, we have tales of saints performing miracles of healing. Even in our modern, civilized and technologically advanced times, we are still mysteriously drawn to stories of survival against all odds, unexplained healings, and phenomena that defy scientific understanding. Man has an innate longing for the supernatural; a recognition that there is more to reality than meets the naked eye.

Miracles as Evidence of the Supernatural

Miracles, signs, and wonders point us towards a reality beyond the material world. They act as evidence of the supernatural. Thus, the Bible is replete with accounts of God’s power and authority producing miraculous events. For example, in Exodus, we have the narration of the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22) as God delivered His chosen people from Egyptian bondage. In the New Testament, Jesus’ ministry is adorned with countless miracles such as turning water into wine (John 2:1-11), feeding the five thousand (Matthew 14:13-21), and raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:38-44).

Please understand that these supernatural manifestations were not merely displays of divine power but had the singular purpose of inspiring faith in the viewer (or, in our case, reader) and pointing us all to God’s redemptive plan. As John 20:30-31 states, “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

The Greatest Miracle of All

The saddest truth that has persisted for the past 2,000 years is that a large portion of mankind remains blind to the greatest miracle ever to occur. We are not talking about the parting of seas, the healing of diseases, or the raising of the dead.

The greatest miracle in human history is the thoughtful act of God’s love for humanity. The Bible teaches that we all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23) and that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). A holy and just God could have rightly consigned us to eternal destruction, but in choosing to redeem us instead, God carried out the greatest miracle ever: forgoing judgement and delivering grace instead.

The Gospel of John best captures this miracle: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). In a singular act of unparalleled love, God became man in the person of Jesus Christ. He was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:23). He lived a sinless life, and in the end, He willingly took on our sin on the cross and satisfied God’s wrath against our sin (1 Peter 2:24). On the third day, He rose bodily from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:4), giving us the ultimate proof of His victory over sin and death. And now, through this Jesus, God offers mankind eternal redemption, eternal reconciliation with Him, and the precious promise of eternal life!

A Call to Reflect This Christmas

As the Christmas season approaches, so increases the busyness of preparations for celebrations, gift-giving, and related traditions. Yet, this season offers us the unique opportunity to reflect on the greatest miracle ever to occur: the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

The birth of Jesus Christ was not just a historical event; it was the fulfilment of God’s promise to redeem mankind. As Isaiah 9:6 declares, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

This Christmas, find time to periodically focus on the greatest miracle of all. Take time to marvel at the love that moved God to step into human history, walk the paths we take, and make a way for our eternal salvation. Take time to express your gratitude to God and renew your faith as you celebrate the miracle of Emmanuel—God with us. This Christmas, may your heart echo the words of the angelic host: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14).

Conclusion

In recognizing the true significance of Christmas, we align our hearts with God’s eternal purpose. The greatest miracle is not just a story to be retold; it is the foundation of our hope, the reason for our worship, and the source of our joy. This Christmas, may we see beyond the ordinary and behold the extraordinary—God’s love made manifest in Jesus Christ.