A Christmas Miracle

a story by Sydney Harkrider

In 2018, I started here at University UMC and it was the first time in 5 years that I could actually see my family on Christmas Day. Before working in the church, I worked in different movie theaters, and the busiest day is Christmas Day. Whether I was an usher, server, or even a manager, I remember working nearly 12 hours almost every Christmas.

That year I texted my sister and brother-in-law, Alyssa and Matt, a week prior and they were able to get Christmas off as well! We knew our dad was sad that we couldn’t all be together for the holiday, but he expected as much since that was normal. This was our chance to provide a Christmas miracle for our dad!

My husband, Dee, and I met up with Alyssa and Matt down the road from my parent’s house. My mom knew to open the front door at 9am to let us in without the dogs hearing any knocking. We all pull up with anticipation and wonder how he will react. Would he be excited? Would he be shocked?

We all tiptoe into the house and mom points that he’s in the kitchen. The four of us slowly get behind him and I say, “hey, whatcha doing?” He turns around with eyebrows raised and says, “oh!” and smiles so big. We realize he is making eggs for breakfast and he says in a regretful voice, “I don’t have enough eggs.” Even in a moment of surprise for him, he was still thinking of us.

To this day, this is one of the most genuine moments that showcases who he truly is. It was a Christmas moment I’ll never forget and it makes up for the years lost to make those memories then and now.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5: 16-18

So then, from this point on we won’t recognize people by human standards. Even though we used to know Christ by human standards, that isn’t how we know him now. So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived! All of these new things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

Prayer

God of the big and small moments, teach us to pause and be present wherever this Advent season finds us.  At work, at home, with friends or family.  May we continue to show up and show others your love.  Amen.