There’s nothing like Christmas time for a child to learn patience. There’s so much anticipation, hype, and expectation leading up to this day. And then finally, the day is here and gone. Or in other words, the culmination is: and it came to pass.
Much hope abounds in these five little words – and it came to pass. Reading these words in stories or seeing things come to pass in others’ lives gives us hope for our own circumstances.
These words are used repeatedly in the Christmas story told in the gospel of Luke (King James Version). And it came to pass … and it came to pass … and it came to pass. Everything came to pass just as prophesied and in the fullness of time.
I remember a time in my life when I was discouraged. I was a mother of two little boys but wanted to complete my family with a third child, and I felt like I was under a time crunch. I miscarried a baby, and many people thought that since I had two children, this little misfortune would quickly fade away. They were wrong. Even I was surprised with the grief that consumed me.
Why had this happened? Was God angry with me? I knew many others had suffered the same loss and more; but when acquaintances tried to console me with similar words like these, well, those words were anything but consoling. Of course others had suffered more than I; and, of course, I had two healthy sons whom I loved and was very grateful for. But I still ached and suffered loss.
I thrust myself into Gods love book of Psalms to remind myself that He did care and love me. Each time that I came across a promise or statement of His love or concern, I highlighted it and re-read it. And I re-read stories like the Christmas story and soaked in the words … and it came to pass … and it came to pass … and it came to pass.
And it came to pass that my hope was restored. Faith arose again. I was bold and declared, “I will have another child, a Christmas child.”
Well, maybe some thought I was really going out on a limb by saying that, but we all need a little miracle every now and then. And it came to pass just like He impressed upon me and I declared. At Christmas time the following year, my third son was born. This is one of my all-time favorite pictures of my miracle child.
Oh, I realize that some would question my use of the word “miracle” here. But, you see, for me, I needed to believe again, to hope again. He was my miracle of hope.
Whenever I reflect on this season of the Lord’s birth, I reflect on my personal miracle when He heard my cry and granted my wish. And it came to pass.
Twenty-two birthdays have now passed, and I still need to be reminded … and it came to pass … and it came to pass. Today’s needs and desires are different, but remembering yesterday’s miracle gives me strength to abide while I wait.
I will abide and hope today, tomorrow, next week, next month, and the next if necessary. Just maybe this will be the year that I will once again say… and it came to pass.
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[You can read more about this story in Reflections, Chapter 10.]
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