Our first Christmas morning as a family of 4 didn’t go as planned. Rather than taking photos around the tree, we took off in a helicopter with our 7-month-old, who was being airlifted to the nearest children’s hospital. Although it’s been a year, I still praise God for the miracle of being able to take Jack home a few days later and for his full recovery.
Miracles witnessed by mothers have always been at the heart of the Christmas story, starting with the very first one. But we don’t need to experience a health scare or a birth in a manger to see the wonder of the season. They surround us! Keep your eyes (and heart) open for these 6 Christmas miracles happening in your family’s everyday moments.
1. The Twinkle in Your Child’s Eyes
There’s just something magical about the Christmas season, especially when we get to see it through our children’s eyes. For me, just seeing Reese and Jack smile and enjoy life is everything and makes even the most ordinary moments feel extraordinary.
It’s probably that way for all moms. Watching our kids’ faces light up as they look at the tree, open presents, or add copious amounts of whipped cream to their hot chocolate, reminds us of the pure joy Christmas brings.
2. The “All Is Calm” Moments
In the evenings, Reese and Jack love to snuggle and talk in bed together. Well, really, right now, Reese does most of the talking. Jack smiles and giggles until that wild man eventually wiggles away. But before he does, those moments remind me that the simplest ones are the most worthwhile.
As moms, we get to experience all the tender moments of the season with our kids. And, while our kids settling down for the evening counts as one of those Christmas miracles we get to witness, so do the peaceful moments by the tree, the cuddling on the couch to watch a movie together, and leaning in to hear our children whisper in our ears their Christmas wishes.
3. The Sound of Your Child Singing
I love asking my co-workers at ESPN to sing Christmas carols. So, it’s probably no surprise that singing and dancing parties are pretty common around our house. And, in December, you might even find Josh and me sneaking in a little slow dance on the 7th for our anniversary. But, hearing Reese sing along to “All of Me” by John Legend while we dance to our song before she shifts to her version of “Jingle Bells” is one of those Christmas miracles I want to hold in my heart forever.
4. The New Traditions Your Family Starts
Last year, I took Reese to her first Nutcracker performance. As a former ballerina, I couldn’t wait to introduce her to this Christmas tradition. I know we’ll be going together for years, and I am so grateful to share this event with her. I will always treasure her genuine excitement for everything from the Rat King to the grilled cheese she ate afterward.
You’ve probably started your new traditions, too. You may have discovered the best neighborhood to drive through to look at Christmas lights. Or your family makes gingerbread houses and lets your Facebook friends pick the winner. Or your new tradition involves putting the star on top of the tree or opening stockings last. These traditions become part of what makes your family your family.
5. The Smell of Baking Cookies
It’s no secret that I love to cook, but something about baking cookies with my kids hits the heart a little differently, even if I do occasionally burn them—the cookies, not the kids. The smell of gingerbread or sugar cookies baking in the
oven draws everyone together into the kitchen to grab one while they’re still warm. That’s probably why baking cookies makes it on every mom’s holiday bucket list. It’s one of those little Christmas miracles that fills our hearts and homes with sweetness.
6. The Looking Back in Gratitude
Every Christmas, I know I will think about Jack’s first one and be grateful for God’s miracle in healing him. I know how lucky we are because so many other families don’t get to take their children home from the hospital. I don’t ever want to forget that. But I also don’t want to forget all of the other Christmas miracles—big and small—I get to experience as a mom. So, I try to be intentional about remembering.
That’s one of the interesting things about being a mom. We’re often so busy in the moment that we don’t always take the time to pause and savor what’s going on. But when we finally stop and look back to see all the little miracles of motherhood, we get to relive them again. The movie nights, the laughter, the snuggles, the Christmas brunch, the silly dances—every moment we get to be a mom is a miracle.
What are a few of the Christmas miracles you’ve experienced as a mom?
