Christmas Magic ‘Christmas Miracle - Samuel’
When I was 9, I witnessed a Christmas miracle.
Our church had a custom that the baby born closest to Christmas became a representative of Jesus the Christ child and was laid in the beautiful, hand-made heirloom cradle. The preceding babies who had represented Jesus the Christ child fit the mold of content, happy babies.
The exception was 2-month-old Samuel, a baby who was born mad. He was the maddest baby I or anyone ever saw. He didn’t cry, he bellowed nonstop. His arms flailed and he grimaced constantly. His mother looked totally bewildered and totally exhausted caring for Samuel, his four siblings and their father. However, Samuel was the only choice for the pageant.
As the children’s choir stood in line in the back of the sanctuary awaiting the beginning of the pageant, the choir director instructed the choir to sing LOUD to try and drown Samuel out.
The pastor, with Samuel in his arms, stepped to the front of the sanctuary to pray a blessing on the performers, Samuel, the congregation and the pageant. Then the pastor gently laid Samuel in the cradle.
The music began and the choir started the processional down the double center aisles. As we reached the platform and formed a semi-circle around the cradle, all singing at the top of our lungs, Samuel continued to bellow.
As we continued to sing, it seemed as in one moment we all realized we were singing too loud. The choir director was frantically trying to quiet us down. Suddenly, everyone realized there was only music. Samuel wasn’t bellowing. He was QUIET. We peeked into the cradle and Samuel was asleep. I heard his brothers and sisters say in total disbelief, “Sammy isn’t bawling!”
Through the pageant, Samuel slept with the arrival of Santa Claus. Samuel slept as people were talking about the miracle of Samuel.
Then, Samuel awakened with a smile and cooing.
The people encircled Samuel and his mother with such joy - and praises Samuel had finally quit bellowing.
A Christmas miracle. Samuel had been chosen to be the representative of Jesus, the Christ child. The miracle happened - Samuel became like Jesus the Christ child, lovable.
Samuel had become a lovable baby, grew into a lovable child and a caring young man.