By Dr. David Cannistraci
As we come to the Christmas season, we have a
special opportunity to reflect on the power of God in our lives. The
Christmas story paints a powerful picture of a supernatural God
visiting His people with signs, wonders and miracles. It renews our
faith in things like angels, prophetic dreams, and outpourings of
the Spirit. And it reminds us that we can expect the Lord to move
supernaturally in our lives no matter what season we are in.
SUPERNATURAL TIMING
The Christmas story is a story of supernatural timing. Christ was
born at exactly the right moment in world history. Paul said it came
“in the fullness of time…” (Galatians 4:4). Looking back,
it’s amazing to see how accurate those words are.
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The transportation system of Roman Empire had
paved the way for the message of the gospel to be carried to
millions. The Empire’s military conquests had prompted many to
abandon their false gods as they wondered Why weren’t we
protected from our enemies?
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Greek culture provided a universal language for
the gospel to be communicated in, and their worldview eroded
many of the deceptive foundations of false religion.
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At the same time, the Jewish people had given
birth to the Scriptures and spread the hope of a coming Redeemer
King. The stage was perfectly set for the Christ to be born and
rescue a lost world with the Father’s love.
In exactly the same way, God is intricately involved
in our lives, working every detail out in the fullness of time, and
setting the stage for the things He desires to birth into our lives.
Christmas reminds us that God has a plan; a time and a way of making
everything come together in our lives for our good.
I’ve noticed that God’s plan for our lives unfolds in a progression
of “supernatural seasons.” Just as the world passes through winter,
spring, summer and fall, our lives move forward with a certain
rhythm that is synchronized with a heavenly timing: “To
everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under
heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
The key is to look for God’s perfect timing, and recognize it when
it comes. The sons of Issachar understood times and seasons, and
that insight helped them to walk in God’s purposes (1 Chronicles
12:32). Since Jesus corrected those who noticed natural seasons but
ignored the more important signs of their times (Matthew 16:3), we
need to press in to discover the power of supernatural seasons for
ourselves.
Sometimes people get disappointed when they discover the church
can’t meet all their needs. The truth is, the church isn’t supposed
to meet all our needs. Only God can do that. Instead of expecting
too much of others, we need to remember that people are not our
source. Let’s put our trust in God. He never disappoints!
SIGNS, WONDERS AND MIRACLES
But Christmas is more than a story of God’s supernatural timing.
It’s also a showcase of the signs, wonders and miracles He can weave
into the fabric of our lives every day if we’ll just believe Him.
The birth of Jesus was a sign. Do you believe in
signs? Hundreds of years before He was born, Isaiah prophesied,
“the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall
conceive and bear a Son...” (Isaiah 7:14) A sign is something
placed before us to give us direction. Signs communicate heavenly
information, and are a part of every believer’s life: “These
signs shall follow those who believe…” (Mark 16:7).
There are many signs in the Christmas story. The shepherds were told
that the Christ Child would be a sign to them (Luke 2:12). Joseph
was visited by an angel in his dreams on three occasions and given
prophetic guidance that protected his young family (Matthew 1:19,
2:13 and 19). And the wise men were directed to the manger through a
miraculous sign in the heavens (Matthew 2:9-10).
Christ’s fulfillment of the many specific prophecies of the Old
Testament concerning His birth remains a sign to every generation
that Christ is truly the Son of God. One commentator says that
according to the laws of chance, it would require two hundred
billion earths, populated with four billion people each, to come up
with one person whose life could fulfill just 100 accurate
prophecies. Yet the Scripture records over 300 that were fulfilled
in Christ’s coming alone!
The birth of Jesus was also a wonder. Isaiah went on
to declare, “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…” (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus is a Wonder beyond
compare. Two thousand years ago, wise men came from far away just to
worship Him. And to this day, His sacrificial love, healing presence
and life-changing message draw us to the same place of awe. He is
the One who performs wonders for His people (Psalm 77:14).
A wonder is something that God does which is so unusual that it
causes you to stop and take notice. It prompts a question—
“What’s the meaning of this?”—so that God can generously supply
the answer.
Wonders are embroidered throughout the Christmas tapestry. Angels
appeared to shepherds and virgins. A devout priest named Zechariah
was worshipping in the temple when a heavenly messenger appeared to
tell him his wife would conceive. His unborn child is filled with
the Spirit in Elizabeth’s womb, destined to be a messenger of
Christ’s coming. These wonders awakened his heart, and prepared him
to recognize an even greater Child that was to come.
How long has it been since you were awakened by the wonders of God
in your life? Let the Lord supernaturally open your eyes, and help
you to see the wonders of His love all around you. Take time to
worship Him for all He has done, as well as the new things He is
doing.
Above all, the birth of Jesus was a miracle. Miracles
send us to God with a simple question: How could this have
happened? The answer is always, “All things are possible to
those who believe.”
In the miracle of Christmas, the Word became flesh in Mary’s womb
through the power of the Holy Spirit, apart from the involvement of
a human father (Luke 1:35). The incarnation is a miracle as well as
a foundation stone of our faith. As a miracle, it can never be fully
understood or explained on this side of heaven. How can God the Son
become a human being without relinquishing his deity? It escapes
explanation. But as a foundation stone of our faith, it inspires us
to embrace the limitless power of God.
The celebration of Christmas is a celebration of God’s miracle
power. As Spirit-filled believers, we embrace the mysterious and
unexplainable, and honor the supernatural. Faith in the signs,
wonders and miracles of God is our inheritance. If things are
looking difficult, remember: Jesus is the miracle that prompts us to
confess, “All things are possible to those who believe.”
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