The fall and winter months bring about change. Days get shorter and nights get colder. We live in a world where change can be seen all around us. People both rich and poor get stuck in ruts, lows, and poor life choices. Onlookers are often quick to say, “They won’t ever change.” I think it often takes a miracle to change people. During this time of year I am reminded of the Miracle that changed the world.
This is my favorite time of year for many reasons. I love that families can gather togther. I love all the different foods and flavors. I remember looking for my favorite ornament to make sure it made it on the Christmas tree. Songs of Christmas cheer echo around the clock on just about every radio station. There are many reasons to celebrate, but most importantly, it is the time to celeberate the birthday of Jesus Christ.
I know there are many who choose to celebrate the “holidays” and focus more on Santa Claus than on Christ, but without Jesus Christ there would be no Christmas. There would be no Miracle. There would be no Savior.
Faith is believing in things not yet seen. Sometimes it’s hard for people to believe the stories in the Bible are true. We are only human, so I can understand the things Jesus came and did are beyond our comprehension. What we do know is there has never been a religion or historical document that denies there was a man named Jesus. We don’t have to reley on faith (beliving in things not seen) to know He was here.
Jesus was seen on this earth. He was born and walked and talked like you and I. What is also not deniable is that the Bible, although not always understood or even read, is a collection of historical documents. The events of Jesus’ life were seen and recorded by hundreds and thousands of people. There is no other book more translated or distributed in all the world. The Bible was written by 40 or more authors over a stretch of many years. Dispite the fact that many of the authors never met and many years elapsed, the Bible is a perfect, inerrant, harmonious story from start to finish and it all points to one man named Jesus Christ.
I believe it matters that we remember why we celebrate this Season. If you’re like me, you long for the day where there is no sickness or hardship. In the book of Revelation we are told that in Heaven there will be no death, mourning, crying, or pain. The hardships of this temporary life will fade as we enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
The problem is that not everyone will be able to go to Heaven. Real life isn’t a Disney movie where “all dogs go to heaven.” Those who have sinned against God will not be welcome. Doing good deeds, being kind, and even getting along with your siblings at Christmas is not enough to get you a pass into Heaven. In the Bible, Romans 3:23 it states, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We have inherited this sinful nature from our grandparents, Adam and Eve. Any man or woman who truly looks at their life will see mistakes, faults, blunders, and blemishes. Let’s face it, at times we all can be a mess. We inherited sinful hearts.
But Jesus came to change all that. He is the Miracle that came to change your heart and mine. As God’s only Son, He came down to rescue us (John 3:16). He was born of human flesh to a virgin woman named Mary. He lived a sinless life here on earth and chose to die on a wooden cross as punishment for our sins. Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled with God (2 Corinthians 5: 18-19). I know it’s tough to believe a man who lived over 2000 years ago would chose to die for you, right where you are today, when He didn’t even know you. But He does know you. In Psalm 139:1 the Bible tells us God knows everything about you. Genesis 1:27 states we were even made in His image. In Jeremiah 1:4-5 we are told God knew you even before you were conceived.
When Jesus was here He talked about a home in Heaven where His Father resides. One day, beyond our short lifespan, we, too, can live there. The Bible says God loves us and longs to see us home and have a relationship with us. Jesus came to make a way for that to happen. Over and over again Jesus told those around Him that no one would get to the Father except through Him. John 14:6 says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Maybe you’re not sure what to believe? Maybe you’re jaded by what you’ve seen with Christians today. I completely understand. A Christian’s life is a continual process of renewing each day through the help of the God (Holy Spirit). Christians are still human and they will still make mistakes and fail you. There’s only One who has never failed us.
Jesus didn’t just come to save the the good. He also came to save the weak and the lowly. He didn’t ignore those in need but reached out to them. He changed their life like He changed mine. He can change yours, too. May God bless you this Christmas Season.
-by Dr. Brandon Crouch
About the Author: Dr. Brandon Crouch is a Chiropractor with Crouch Family Chiropractic. He is an advocate for being proactive when it comes to your health. He is a member of Rich Pond Baptist Church (www.richpond.org). You can find more at: www.crouchfamilychiro.com or on facebook at: www.facebook.com/CrouchFamilyChiropractic.
