To the casual observer, the events that surrounded Jesus’ birth seemed pretty unremarkable—a man traveling with his betrothed, a full inn, and a babe lying in a manger. While I’m sure it was not routine for babies to be born in the stable of the inn every day, there was no impressive caravan or pageantry to accompany Jesus as He arrived. These seemingly mundane events were actually miraculous: God wrapped Himself in human flesh in order to bring salvation to mankind.
My life is often filled with mundane events. I spend a lot of time changing diapers, waiting in line at the grocery store, doing yard work, and cleaning. Does this sound at all like your life?
What if these mundane events are actually miraculous, just as the events were on the night when Jesus was born?
What if diaper changes and other repetitive parenting tasks provide excellent opportunities to train up my child in the way she should go (Proverbs 22:6)? What if waiting in line at the grocery store provides opportunities to minister to fellow customers? What if completing yard work provides opportunities to love on our neighbor kids? What if cleaning provides opportunities to be faithful in the little things (Luke 19:11-27)?
The reality is that there is no “what if” about it. God is at work in these routine activities! Though God sometimes works in glaringly obvious ways (see Numbers 22:21-39 for an example), He’s often moving in ways that are not dramatic or obvious. As we hustle around finishing preparations for Christmas and beyond, let’s not overlook the work God is doing in our mundane activities.
Have a blessed Christmas!
