The Miracle of Christmas

The real story of the times of Jesus’ birth was that there was terrible political unrest, a religious institution that was more concerned about politics than meeting the spiritual needs of the people! Nations were constantly redrawing Israel’s boundaries, and there was a nervous peace around the world. The disparity between rich and poor was getting greater and greater. Into the midst of all this turmoil and hopelessness God makes His appearance in human flesh . . . the baby Jesus!
The Bible shows us that in Christ there can be "peace and goodwill to all men on whom his favor rests" 2:14b. In the midst of a world of darkness God has given us a great light. Most people were hoping for some kind of miracle to change things! It was in this atmosphere that a miracle did happen, God sends forth His son the Messiah to redeem man. The whole world was changed when Christ was born. Only Jesus can profoundly change the behavior of man. And it will be Christ's second coming that will finally solve the problem of the human race.
During this season how many will have their hearts and minds tuned only to the sounds of this world in celebration, and how many will be listening for the marvel of what God has done in the celebration of Christmas?
The first Christmas the desperate and the despised found great joy and peace and acceptance from God! What about you? Will you just pass through another holiday season ending it with a huge credit card debt and exhaustion over activities? Or will you come to know "peace on earth and good will toward men on whom His favor rests." Will you find a great joy in knowing that Christmas is not just a season, it is a reason for living? For Christians the Christmas season is not starting, it has never ended!

In His Service
Pastor John J. Dodd