Miraculous Transformation
December 24
Behold, I make all things new!
Revelation 21:5 KJV
Christmas Eve was the day the tree went up; and that not until dinner was done, and we boys were in our pajamas, ready for bed when the trimming was complete.
Dad loved the anticipation of waiting to put the tree up on Christmas Eve…and the excitement in his three son’s eyes as we not-so-silently waited while he fitted the stand into the base of the tree.
There was order and purpose in the trimming, and we knew better than to buck Dad’s ideology where tree-trimming was concerned. “Boys,” he’d say, “trimming begins with lights.” So the standard teardrop lights were wrapped around the tree first. Then the bubble-lights were hung with special care, making sure the tips of the tubes stood up straight. Next were the ornamental-glass bulbs. First the round ones; then the long, tapered ones, followed by the few hand-blown bulbs we had accumulated, placed at strategic locations. The wooden ornaments were next; and finally, the red and green paper chains. As the trimming progressed, the tree came to life. With the ornaments and chains hung, Dad would utter our final instructions, “The tree isn’t finished until the tinsel is hung, boys.”
Little boys haven’t the patience to hang individual strands of tinsel. We just grabbed handfuls of ‘icicles’, heaving them as hard and high as we could. Then Dad would proclaim, “Looks great! You’re done…time for bed!”
As memorable as the Christmas Eve tradition was, the miracle was revealed on Christmas morning; for our haphazard efforts had been transformed into something awe-inspiring! The tinsel had mysteriously been re-distributed, and there were presents under the tree! Oh, the miracle of Christmas!
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As the years have passed I’ve grown to appreciate the tremendous restraint my father showed by allowing us to hang the tinsel as little boys, waiting to create the miracle of Christmas morning cloaked in mystery. The love of a good father is a powerful thing.
God is such a Father. Yet, He will not straighten out our messes uninvited. He waits, not just on Christmas Eve, but always, offering the Greatest Gift imaginable…His Son! A Gift that takes away our tangled mess of sin, transforming us into an awe-inspiring miracle! All Heaven eagerly awaits our response.
Prayer
“Lord, I give You the tangled messes of my life. Create something new and miraculous! Amen.”
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