A Christmas message from The Review Publisher

Hamtramck Review Publisher John Ulaj

By John Ulaj
You hear a lot of people toss the word “miracle” around, especially at this time of year, perhaps even hoping to induce one in their own lives, or, more generously, in the life of a loved one.
Well, I’d like to take this space to tell you about a real-life miracle that I happen to know of. One that even shocked a group of seasoned doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers.
A few months ago, a woman, about the age of 80, was gardening in her yard, but fell over and severely broke her leg, near the hip – always a dangerous injury for an older person.
She was rushed to a local hospital, where an anesthesiologist, while administering a pain medication by injection, accidentally hit one of her main blood vessels, sending her into cardiac arrest.
For 14 minutes, the staff worked feverishly, while the poor woman’s heart “flatlined” – no cardiac activity was detected on the monitor for all this time. Three to five doctors and assistants took turns attempting resuscitation efforts, but to no avail.
The woman’s son was waiting at home, beside himself, being filled in by his brother, and crying out to God to save her life — because he truly believed that she had more of that life to live.
At this same time, this man, through his feelings of helplessness and dread, felt a growing calm — a sense that somehow, in spite of the lengthening odds against a positive outcome with each passing moment, that things would somehow turn out all right.
Suddenly, the man received a call from his older brother: The woman had somehow successfully been revived, and less than an hour later, had not only awoken, but had instantly recognized the brother, and cried out his name!
Perhaps more amazingly still, she suffered no permanent damage to her heart, nor to her brain, in spite of having been flatlined for that much time. It is, truly, incredible, if you stop to think about it.
Nurses then further told the brother that she was in considerable pain, doubtless due to multiple broken ribs from her fall.
And then, another miracle: X-rays found no broken ribs – not one!
We live in a world where the media feeds us an almost-constant stream of frightening, negative, unpleasant stories and warnings.
They rarely mention the miracles. The miracles that occur around us. Every day. Small miracles, medium-sized ones.
And big ones. Big miracles – like the one that happened to that woman, and her terrified family, that day…
That woman in the story, who is my mother. And that son, who is me.
So you see, I have personally witnessed the miracles that prayer can bring forth.
God sees our suffering, and knows it: He commanded his only begotten Son JESUS to die on the cross for the sins of all humanity, so that those who believed in Him would come to know his Love and Mercy.
All that we must do is repent our sins, believe in Him, and accept this most precious gift of salvation at Christmas. Or, any time — but none like the present.
The world is temporary. One day, that woman, my mother, will pass on. As will I, as will you, as will we all. This life is temporary, but our destination is Eternity.
I have come to this conclusion: God will not sacrifice the tiniest portion of Eternity for the greatest length of worldly time. Because time is not permanent, but eternity is.
In conclusion, in the book of Isaiah 9:6, we are reminded that “Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
This Old Testament verse is referring to the amazing Christmas gift from God, the one True God: Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior! To Him may there be the honor and glory forever and ever, Amen!
I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and a healthy New Year!
Posted Dec. 16, 2022