in my humble opinion

A Christmas miracle

By JONATHAN CHARLES FOX
Posted 12/23/24

Having grown up celebrating Hanukkah, the whole “Christmas miracle” thing is slightly familiar, yet foreign, to me. I’ve oft heard it mentioned, yet never experienced one myself. …

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in my humble opinion

A Christmas miracle

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Having grown up celebrating Hanukkah, the whole “Christmas miracle” thing is slightly familiar, yet foreign, to me. I’ve oft heard it mentioned, yet never experienced one myself. That is, until (cue sleigh bells) recently. 

Don’t get me wrong. I have a basic understanding of Christmas, and that it is a time to celebrate “one of the most remarkable miracles found in the Bible: the virgin birth of Jesus.” What I didn’t fully grasp, until I did a tiny bit of internet research, was that “God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary, a virgin who was engaged to Joseph” and that “the angel explained to her that she would become pregnant through the Holy Spirit without requiring a human father.” 

These days, a Christmas miracle is thought to be an unexpected or wonderful event that happens during the Christmas season, often bringing joy and happiness. The term is frequently used to describe something that is highly improbable or almost magical. The idea of a miracle is often associated with faith and belief in something extraordinary.

In other words: not something I naturally or readily espouse. That said, while not feeling entirely “bah, humbug” I’m not necessarily joyous at this time of year either, so I’m as surprised as the next one that events over the last few days have turned my frown upside down. 

It all began last Thursday, when I zipped over to Brew in Rock Hill, NY to support a “celebrity bartending event” benefitting the Thunder 102 radio Country Cares for St. Jude Kids fundraising program. The place was packed, money was raised, and folks seemed genuinely happy to see me there—which is a miracle in itself, although I suspect it was all about the dog.

I know for a fact it was my adorable pooch that Santa was looking for when one of his helpers reached out online asking if we wanted to get a photo-op of her with the fat man—first when his reindeer pulled up to the Hurleyville Performing Arts Center earlier in the month, and then again last weekend, when he was handing out candy canes at the Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark. 

I was unable to make either event, so it was a great surprise when we heard a “ho ho ho” and a sleigh miraculously pulling into the driveway last Saturday. Gidget was thrilled, and I happily snapped pics of her cavorting with “Santy Paws,” which made me grin from ear-to-ear. 

After waving to Santa and feeling festive, Gidge and I went to the annual Dickens on the Delaware town-wide celebration of all things Victorian in the hamlet of Callicoon, which was thrumming with activity. Although there was no snow on the ground, the aroma of hot chocolate filled the air, and kids’ faces lit up as a horse-drawn carriage clip-clopped down Main Street, serving as a backdrop for an appearance by the Farm Arts Collective troupe of actors, which drew a huge crowd.

We were then treated to a short performance featuring colorful characters originally created by prolific playwright Charles Dickens. The story mixed past and present and was highly entertaining, while slyly conveying a serious message sandwiched in-between the hi-jinx. The Artful Dodger was spotted darting in and out of the crowd, along with a hilarious Tarot card reader named Clair Voyant, an accordion-playing Scrooge, Miss Havisham, the ghost of Christmas Past, and of course, Dickens himself, among others. The show was very funny and a nice departure (IMHO) for the company. Huzzah!

Meanwhile, Josh Murphy and a small army of holiday helpers were simultaneously preparing for a holiday-themed dinner party over at the Villa Roma. Murph’s Toy Drive, now in its 10th year, draws hundreds of revelers who show up armed with thousands of toys to help support the fine folks at United Way of Sullivan County in their quest to bring joy to children of all ages. 

“C’mon, admit it” Josh said in passing, as folks swarmed the dance floor. “It’s the best party of the year in Sullivan County, am I right? The evening was a rousing success, the mountain of gifts was staggering, and if Les Kristt has anything to say about it, Murph’s words hit home. 

“Murph’s Toy Drive was an amazing event,” Kristt crowed on social media the next day. “With fab music, 300 super Sullivan County residents and best of all, a few thousand gifts to be distributed to every school district in the county. Thank you Josh Murphy,” Kristt exclaimed, “and [United Way/Sullivan Chief Professional Officer] Julian Dawson… a myriad [of] great folks that helped put this together!” Honestly, I couldn’t have said it better myself, and that, my friends, is a little Christmas miracle! 

Fun Fact: In an article penned for the University of Birmingham/ UK, Professor of Philosophy Yujin Nagasawa states that “many people believe in miracles even in the 21st century. According to recent surveys in the UK, 77% of people agree with the statement that “there are things in life that we simply cannot explain through science or any other means”. Moreover,” he says, “16% say that either they or someone they know have experienced what they would call a miracle.”

christmas miracle, hanukkah, in my humble opinion, rock hill, IMHO

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