There’s no way I can think of Christmas and not also think of the term “supernatural.” Its definition certainly lends weight to this conclusion. “Relating to or attributed to phenomena that cannot be explained by natural laws,” (The Encarta Dictionary).
So what events in the original Christmas story were supernatural by nature? First, there was the supernatural appearance of the angel to Joseph, as is recorded in Matthew chapter two. The angel communicated to Joseph some troubling news concerning Mary. He most certainly would have found out she was pregnant with the passing of time.
The question that begs an answer is: would he have carried through with staying with Mary without this supernatural experience? Probably not! If he would have broken their relationship, then they would not have made the journey to Bethlehem and Christ would not have been born in that town according to Micah 5:2. Thus, the necessity of supernatural intervention!
A second example would be the supernatural appearance of the angel to Mary in Luke 1, announcing to her how she would supernaturally conceive a child. This, of course, was unbelievable to her ears. How could such a thing be?
However, without this supernatural intervention and Jesus’ virgin birth, He would have been just any other ordinary man and therefore, could not have died on Calvary as the sinless God-man for our sins. A supernatural angelic visit proclaiming a supernatural miracle! Both inherent realities within the Christmas story!
Next, we turn our attention to the supernatural appearance of the angelic host to the shepherds on the night of Christ’s birth. They announced a Saviour was born in the city of David. However, take note! What they proclaimed would never have occurred except for supernatural intervention. Think of it! There were so many things that could have easily gone wrong.
Mary could have had a miscarriage but she did not. Mary survived the long, arduous journey to Bethlehem at the height of pregnancy. Mary could have given birth to a still-born child but she did not.
The fact that the Christ-child was born of a virgin, born alive, born healthy, and born in Bethlehem itself were all amazing realities that were worthy of a supernatural proclamation. This is why the angel said to the shepherds, “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10)
Yes, the answer to humanity’s greatest need was born! This little baby would be the one Who would ultimately open heaven’s gates to repentant sinners.
What is the application to you and me? We need to experience the supernatural in our lives. How, you may ask? We must be born again. Each of us must become spiritually alive and that can only occur as God Himself enters into our lives. John 3:16 tells us how. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
We must believe Christ went to the cross and He died for our sins. We must repent of our sinfulness and commit ourselves to living entirely for Him. We must believe that He rose again from the grave and is a living Saviour.
Have you experienced the supernatural saving power of God in your life? It’s what Christmas time is all about.
Devotional shared by Pastor Kelvin Kennedy at Meadowvale Bible Baptist Church in Mississauga, Ontario
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