In past holiday issues of La Voce I have written about miracles that the Blessed Jesus has bestowed upon me and that I have seen with my very own eyes.

In the 2005 December issue of La Voce I wrote about a miracle that I was able to take part in. Jesus used me as a tool to bring gifts to three needy families and at the same time restore some faith to two women who were struggling with how humanity treated each other.

The names of the people are not important, but to know that I was part of bringing people closer to Jesus on the day of his birth some 2000 years later makes me awestruck at the power of the man we call the ‘Messiah.’

It was December 24, 1999 when I was sitting listening to the emergency scanners for a local television station and I received a total of five phone calls. Two women were saddened by the way their families were treating each other during the holiday season of love and family. One of them did not want her great-grandchildren spoiled more than they had already been, so she tried to donate the toys and clothes she purchased for them to charity. The reason, the family went on a cruise instead of spending time with her and the rest of the family. The other woman had no family to which to give the toys and clothes she bought strictly to donate, but the charity neglected to pick them up. Both women wanted these gifts they paid good money for to go to children that deserved and needed them.

What they hoped for was that I could find a home with young boys and girls that could put these presents to good use. I prayed very hard while sitting at the assignment desk (where the person who sends camera and reporter crews out on stories sits) and waited for the phone calls to come in from parents needing gifts.

My faith and prayers were answered when I received calls from three single mothers, who had in all a total of eight children in need of gifts. I knew deep down inside my prayers were going to be answered and Jesus didn’t take long responding to them.

What happened in the end is I picked up the gifts from these lovely women who were very grateful for the actions I took. Basically I told them it was not me but Jesus answering their prayers and mine. Then at midnight, I set off to drop these magnificent presents to the three homes that needed them. It was amazing seeing the faces of the women when I walked through the door carrying all the gifts and food, mind you. I was given a turkey, ham and chicken by these ladies who had no family to share a holiday feast with, so they wanted me to bring the food to these homes. It was the most blessed day of my life. I spread joy and good will through the teachings of the Most High Jesus Christ.

Now, during the Easter season I will share another miracle that allowed me to live a life that I dreamed of, one that Jesus again blessed me with.

The reason I write these letters is to help you understand that we are surrounded by God’s love. Everywhere you look miracles are happening, but it just takes a second to miss it. We are busy living our lives in this fast-paced world we have created, and if you do not take a moment to stop and see, touch, hear, smell or taste it you will never understand the beauty it offers.

So I offer you this challenge in the season when our Lord was given life on Earth. Stop and notice the beauty and wonder that this world has to offer and see the miracle of life that is happening around you every second you live. Trust me, it is worth losing a little self-absorption to open your eyes to the world at hand.

A Special Thank You

La Voce Publishing Company wants to thank photographer Paul A. Schwartz for allowing us to use on our front cover his photograph of the “Nativity Glass Window” from the Church of the Ascension in Rochester, NY.