“The village people didn't know it, but there was a reason for his gloom, a reason for his grumbling, a reason why he walked hunched over, as if carrying a great weight on his shoulders.”
– The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
As the advent season of hope, peace, joy, and love approaches, we begin once again our preparation for the arrival of the baby Jesus. It was a supernatural conception that commenced the human life of Jesus, born in a stable in Bethlehem, surrounded by his parents and animals, before the Magi, who followed a guiding star, came to worship him.
In Susan Wojciechowski’s 1995 children’s Christmas book, “The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey”, Wojciechowski tells the tale of Jonathan Toomey, a skilled artisan tapped to carve a nativity scene for a widow and her son. Appropriate for children ages 5-9, Wojciechowski’s story of Toomey’s rediscovered joy following death and despair, and his journey back to life, sold more than 1 million copies. A film, by the same name, was released in 2007.
The tale began in darkness. Toomey, once blessed with a wife and child would lose them both to illness. After moving far from his grief to a new village, his usual vim and vigor were replaced with brokenness and gloom. Visible in his countenance, his haggard beard and downward stare, spoke of his anguish. Bereft of this family, he no longer believed in miracles or anything else. Condemned to a life of solitude, Toomey isolated himself in the work of his woodshop.
As Christmas approached, two unexpected visitors in the form of a widow and her son brought life to his lonely sanctuary. Hired to carve the animals, angels, and characters depicting the night of Jesus' birth, his carvings were uninspired despite being the best woodcarver in the village.
Like the Magi that arrived bearing gifts for the Baby Jesus, the widow also brought sacraments as symbols of God’s grace. Gifts of treats to their ongoing visits brought sustenance and fellowship to their new association. Attempting to create a festive mood, these gifts were visible blessings from their life-changing encounter.
Drawing strength from his new friendships, keepsakes from Mr. Toomey’s happy life would motivate him to finish the task. Because of them, hope endured, and his season of pain began to heal.
Once embraced back into the community, reconciliation restores and repairs the division between God and man, allowing companionship to heal the deepest of wounds. Then, a restoration of faith allows life to return after disappointment and despair. Maintaining optimism even in times of great turmoil, shows that God is present.
Like the figures in the Nativity, Jesus' birth led to a gathering of believers, showing mutual support and admiration.
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