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Have you ever had a small miracle that encouraged your heart? I’ve had quite a few in my life. So many, if it weren’t for noting them in my journals and books, I’d probably forget most of them. Yet, when I pick up an old article or story, that I’d written years earlier, and read about one of them, it can lift my spirit in much the same way it did then. Just today I came across one of those. So, as we prepare for Christmas, I thought I’d share that little miracle with you. 

A BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS SIGHT

Perhaps it was the nudge of an angel that woke me that morning or maybe it was just my husband’s restlessness. Whatever the case, something woke me from my deep slumber with a frightful startle.

I thought I’d heard someone walking through the house. It wasn’t the sound of loud footsteps, but a soft shuffling—like feet across the carpet. Yet, despite the subtle noise, I awoke with heart thumping concern. My heavy eyelids resisted opening and my first thought was that we might have a prowler. Considering it was nearly Christmas and there were presents lying under our tree, I prayed a silent prayer for protection. 

Listening intently, I heard nothing, but needing to go to the bathroom I got up. Forcing my sleepy eyes open, and with some trepidation, I glanced down our long hallway as I cautiously made my way to our ensuite. On my return trip I decided to look out our bedroom window for any evidence of an intruder.  

To my amazement and awe the most beautiful star I’d ever seen was glistening brightly in the early morning sky. I blinked away any remaining sleepy glue and waited to be certain it wasn’t some sort of aircraft. It was clearly brighter and bigger than all the other stars in the sky but it wasn’t moving. So not an aircraft. Sirius, the morning star, was one I’d observed before, but this was much larger and more brilliant by far. Then, I remembered hearing a report on television a few days earlier about a special constellation in the sky that was going to be visible. They said something about it possibly being the same sight that brought those famous, wise astronomers, or Magi as the Bible tells, to Christ’s birth 2000 years ago. 

Surely, it was the reason I’d been wakened.

Excitement rose inside and I wanted to wake everyone in the house, so they could see it too. Glancing at the clock, I noted it was 4 a.m. and considered the consequences of waking four grumpy people at such an early hour. Motherly wisdom vetoed the idea. With joyful exuberance flooding my heart, I hoped my husband’s restlessness meant he was only half asleep.  

“Are you awake?” I whispered gently as I slipped back into bed.  

“No,” he said.  

“I just saw the most beautiful star ever!”  

“What were you doing outside at this hour?” He mumbled with a sleep-deprived edge to it.

“I wasn’t outside. I just looked out the bedroom window. It might be the same star the wisemen saw at Christ’s birth.”  

His reply came with surprising alertness. “Was it in the eastern part of the sky?”

“Yes! Yes! It was in the eastern sky,” I nearly squealed back. 

“I’ll see it when I get up later,” he said rolling over.

Saying a prayer of thanksgiving for the special Christmas gift God had given me that early morning I fell blissfully back to sleep.

Whether it was the brush of angels’ wings, the Holy Spirit, or something else that woke me on that morning 30 years ago, this experience continues to shine in my heart today. It is one more amazing sign of the Lord’s meticulous and stellar details related to the birth of the messiah. The magi, or wisemen, were excellent astronomers; and they knew about the prophesies as told hundreds of years earlier. They not only observed the sign but acted on it in great faith by traveling hundreds of miles to witness this miracle for themselves and to worship the newborn king it foretold. 

Laughing to myself, I thought: All I did was to travel to the bathroom and gaze out the bedroom window. 

Numbers 24:17 prophetically foretells the story hundreds of years before it happened. “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” In the gospel of Matthew, we see the fulfillment of this prophesy as well as other prophecies regarding the messiah. Matthew 2: 2 says: “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”  

As we look forward to the bright star of Christmas, I hope this story encouraged your heart and prepared you to celebrate the light of Jesus. May His light shine in your heart throughout the holiday season.

Need another amazing Christmas miracle story? My next blog post in December will tell of a night when I witnessed a whole group of travelers disappear before my eyes. It will be entitled “Distracted Focus/Missed Blessing.” 

My book, “Fresh Eyes: Seeing God in the Unexpected” is chock full of similar inspiring true stories, including the story of the beautiful star. In it you’ll find encouragement, community through shared experiences, and a sweet dose of laughter for your soul. If you already own a copy—Thank you!

Consider gifting a copy to a friend or loved one—providing encouragement and laughter for their hearts this holiday season! For a limited time only, when you purchase a copy of my book, “Fresh Eyes: Seeing God In the Unexpected,” you’ll get a FREE copy of my children’s book, “Moriah’s Wings.” See below for details.

Perfect for filling the stockings for your children or grandchildren, or a treat to read by the light of the tree! 🎁 🎄

👉 Fresh Eyes is available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Westbow Press. 

**Giveaway Details**

*To receive your free copy of “Moriah’s Wings,” submit proof of purchase of “Fresh Eyes: Seeing God in the Unexpected” along with your name and address to Iris Carignan through the contact page of this website. https://iriscarignan.com/contact/ Proof of purchase must be received on or before December 15, 2022. Purchase date must be after June 1, 2022. While supplies last. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram or Facebook.

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