Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev explained that there is a fundamental distinction between the miracles celebrated at Pesach (Passover) and those celebrated on Chanukah and Purim. This distinction is brought out by the fact that on Chanukah and Purim we recite the blessing שעשה נסים לאבותינו בימים ההם בזמן הזה Who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days, at this time. We do not recite this blessing on Pesach.
The distinction is that on Pesach the miracle was one which was above nature. Above nature is also above time. Nature is within the dimension of time. Above nature is not.
By contrast, the miracle of Chanukah and Purim were within nature; they were there to show us that God permeates all that exists in the natural world. As such, they were miracles within time. That is why we mention in the blessing "at this time," to emphasize that these were miracles within time.
Which do you think is greater? A miracle in which God breaks the laws of nature, or one in which he works within nature?
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