The World Waits for a Miracle
“The world waits for a miracle
The heart longs for a little bit of hope
Oh, come, oh come, Emmanuel.” L.D.
It is hard to believe we are nearing the Eve of Christmas. Perhaps, by the time you read this, a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes will have arrived in the manger in the piercing cold. Also, I cannot remember a Christmas so blasted cold.
Oh night divine
Oh, the anticipation, the hope, the peace, and the miracle we long see.
While our home is filled with our treasured people, joyful noise, and ongoing activity, the holiday season these last three years have admittedly been lonelier and more disappointing than we could have ever anticipated. I may share more on this someday.
But Emmanuel
God is with us.
He continues to provide in so many unexpected ways through the most incredible beloved souls that He places in our path.
We are all waiting with great anticipation for some sort of miracle.
I know we wait with hope and faith for our miracle.
AND
Numerous prayers have already been answered, and miracles have been given to us these last few days.
Every single day is another miracle.
If we look we can already see the many miracles.
A miracle came when a treasured friend and her family thoughtfully and delightfully surprised me. How could she know I longed for years to receive the gift she gave me. It is not easy to get one over on me—I still hear her giggling/cackling that she pulled it off. I might be seething (in jest) and I am delighting. Her mission to stealthily plant a large Nativity in my front yard means more to me than my friend and her family could ever know. It was as much a gift to me as it was for Jon.
God knew.
He inspired my friend. And the details of how it went down are far too intricate to not point to a God who loves us in the details.
Miracles came when orders were picked up, and hugs were exchanged with exactly who God knew we needed to see this week. Surprises in the most heartwarming way.
A miracle came when a whole ham and potatoes were delivered by a thoughtful friend so we could pull together a perfect meal on Christmas Day. I wanted to make a ham to add to the pineapple bread pudding my littlest one loves and will be making.
We’ve often been the home where others gathered for many holiday celebrations. It is nice to have somebody take the time to deliver the makings of a meal (and gifts to us), especially when we need to be wrapped in extra love. Life has been harder on the heart lately. We are doing our best to find joy and peace where we can.
A miracle came when unexpectedly generous gifts are hand-delivered and sent our way. As we rob Peter to pay Paul by adjusting our means so we can fill our home with a little extra Christmas spirit, some thoughtful and generous souls (anonymous and not) are filling the gap. Do they realize how much their gifts could mean to our family this week?
A miracle came when I encountered an old friend who ministered to me as I waited for my turn in confession. The gift of mercy and forgiveness during the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a miracle and gift too. We discover what weighs on our heart can be left in His lap. Our Lord wants to hear what weighs on our heart—so we give it to Him—He can take our worries. His mercy never ends.
Miracles came through the people who take extra care to check in on us most tenderly and lovingly. We are on a long journey. It’s easy to forget, especially at this time of year.Trust me, it means A LOT to be remembered amid the very busy season.
“It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you … yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand.”-Mother Teresa.
Many miracles came when our humble little shop brought you delight and surprised us with unexpected approval and support. Your encouraging messages have honored our hard work and kept us going through a few hard weeks. Where did November go?
We hoped and prayed the gift of our shop would humbly repair a few loose ends—it did more than that. But making and gathering your orders has brought us more than can ever be into words. The support for our “ministry” (and it has become obvious God has called us to this ministry in the form of a shop) continues to overwhelm and wrap us in love. And as I typed this, one more order came in and put us over a goal we prayed for but never thought possible.
With God, all things ARE possible.
The gift to us has been in giving. For it is in giving we receive.
And we have delivered you so much love in our “made with love” work. I hope you have felt our love.
Through our creative endeavors, prayers have been offered for those who have prayed with us, supported us in many incredible and unbelievable ways, and simply loved us without condition.
We are receiving more through the act of creating. It should seem like work, but it is pure joy when it is done for the Glory of God. It just keeps on giving, and we continue to be inspired by Him and you. I cannot wait to share the new goods coming in the New Year. But we need time to rest a bit.
“The giving of gifts is not something man invented. God started the giving spree when He gave a gift beyond words, the unspeakable gift of His Son.”-Robert Flatt.
Thank you.
Thank you for supporting our family in the many ways you have this year and since 2020, when we began to carry this very heavy cross. I don’t know how we will ever repay every single generous gift. So we pray in thanksgiving for you.
Thank you for praying for us and believing in miracles with us.
Thank you for loving us and helping our family in the many ways you have to allow us to enjoy the Spirit of Christmas and the true reason for the season.
“Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.”—CS Lewis.
May you find the most extraordinary gift you receive this Christmas to be in the hearts you touch, serve and love beyond measure.
May you remember how you loved others more than yourself this year.
May you know you are loved more than you could ever know by Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace
“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!” — Charles Dickens.
May the light of the world bring a glimmer of hope to your piercing cold, dark days.
May you and your family be surrounded by peace, hope, joy, and love this blessed Christmas.
May you see the miracle in each day.
Merry Christmas with abundant love from our family to yours. We didn’t take formal Christmas pictures this year or in the past few years. This photo is from a quick trip to celebrate the December birthday girls, all the holiday things, and our 25th anniversary coming on the 27th. And I may come back and edit in a Christmas Eve pic just for fun so stay tuned.
“The world waits for a miracle
The heart longs for a little bit of hope
Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel
A child prays for peace on Earth
And she’s calling out from a sea of hurt
Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel
And can you hear the angels singing
Glory to the light of the world
Glory, the light of the world is here…
For all who wait
For all who hunger
For all who’ve prayed
For all who wonder
Behold your King
Behold Messiah
Emmanuel, Emmanuel…”
Light of the World
-Lauren Daigle
