By QuaWanna Bannarbie

The story of Noel is in continuous play as we are now less than one week away from Christmas Day. If you listen to the preacher or the radio host, the narrative of the season is on the minds of most. Nativity scenes and live adaptations of the birth of the Savior are meant to help us to remember. When grim news is published day out and day in, Christmas gives us reasons for celebrating. Still, many are not in the spirit of festivity, they prefer to ignore all the season’s revelry. Must a bright star appear for each one of us to experience the wonder of Christmas? Is it enough that God thought so much of you and me that He wrapped Himself in the form of a little baby? The virgin Mary reminds us submission is key if we truly want what God has planned for our destiny.

The books of Matthew and Luke in the Bible include the summary of God’s infant miracle. While many debate on the date that Mary gave birth to her son, I would rather focus on the miracle that was done. A young girl was chosen to nurture a promise that grew inside of her. That fact alone is enough to make you wonder.

What if she had not believed what the angel declared?

What if she had been too scared?

She was no one special, just someone ordinary. Would the first Noel have turned out that way if you had been Mary? And if she had been you or me, would the promise have become what it was meant to be?

Every time you are given something that seems impossible, know that God trusts you with a miracle. To keep that miracle alive, there are some things you will endure in this life. The Lord is anxious to use you to give birth to an epiphany growing inside your womb. Just surrender and repeat Mary’s words, “be it unto me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

This season is not just about a miracle in a Bethlehem town, it speaks to what God is doing here and now. Christmas is wonderful because Emmanuel came for each one of us. And maybe you might be skeptical of the truth of Noel, but here is how you know it not a fairy tale. Fairy tales have happy endings when the story is through, but the wonder of Christmas continues in the Jesus in me and the Jesus in you. His work in our lives and our lives doing His work is good news. Spread your glad tidings of what you have to tell. Born is the King, today is NOEL!

QuaWanna Bannarbie is an adjunct professor of nonprofit leadership and management with Indiana Wesleyan University, National and Global. Her children attend Suffolk Public Schools. Connect with her via Twitter @QNikki_Notes.