Every now and then every person asks for a miracle in their life. Can you recall miracles you have asked God for? Isn’t it great that we have the ability to ask God for such a thing?
A miracle is a visible interruption of the laws of nature, such that can only be explained by divine intervention. In other words, when there is nothing more that man can do, then God does it for us because He has the power to do all things impossible. We have confidence in this as we read Matt 19:26 “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” In Mark 9:23 Jesus reminded the man who brought his son to him because he was possessed by a demon, and no doctor and no other resource could remove it; and Jesus said to the man before he healed his son “Everything is possible for him who believes” and then Jesus gave him a miracle, and his son was healed.
Christmas time reminds us that miracles exist and that God does care for each of us, so much so that He loves to perform miracles in our lives. It is at this time of year we should especially reflect on the miracles of Christmas and the miracles that God has done in our own lives. To do so helps us to remember what we believe, and who we believe in. As we remind ourselves of what we believe, and say it out loud, it brings hope when we feel hopeless, it brings new strength when we feel weary, it brings joy when all we seem to see is struggles. It brings peace and confidence that far surpasses any human understanding. It is my hope that today we will look into our own lives and begin to remember the miracles God has given to each of us, reaffirming our belief in the reason for the season - Jesus, and to gain a new confidence that God is still in the miracle business in each of our lives today, and we can trust him for more each and every day.
As we look at the miracles of Christmas, we see an important key that makes miracles happen. That key is: Belief. Many people today still struggle with the story of Christmas simply because they do not believe. Belief is a major component of life for every believer. Without it, miracles cannot happen. All throughout scripture we find Jesus asking those who were about to receive a miracle from him ‘if they believed’. Each one who affirmed that indeed they believed received their miracle.
Just think ... our belief was newly birthed in each of us when we embraced the Christmas Story and its miracles. So what are the miracles of Christmas?
Miracles Of Christmas:
1. The first miracle of Christmas was when Mary, a virgin, was chosen to be the mother of the Son of God, and then became pregnant.
Read: Luke 1:26-38. An angel appears to a young woman, a virgin, the one appointed by God and tells her that she indeed has been chosen to be the mother of the Son of God. Not only that, but she would also become pregnant by the “power of the Most High” who would overshadow her ... not by man’s design, by God’s. And then the angel gives her this assurance “for nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). What made the miracle happen? Note Mary’s response in vs. 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’”
Mary believed ... because God was in it, and it happened. Jesus was born. Can you imagine what would have happened if Mary had not believed ... and would not have accepted the calling that was on her life?
2. The second miracle involved Joseph. What a shock it must have been for him when he was told of Mary’s pregnancy. In Matt 1 we read of the account ... and in order to save her from public disgrace and humiliation he was going to divorce her privately ... even though they were only engaged, the custom at that time was that engagement was the same as marriage until they took their vows and made it legal. An angel paid Joseph a visit in a dream and he was shown what would be and what he needed to do. Joseph, when he awoke, believed ... and took Mary to be his wife and called the new baby Jesus. Can you imagine what may have happened if he had not believed and done what the angel had instructed him to do ... the trip to Bethlehem may not have happened.
3. The third miracle was the action of the shepherds who believed. In Luke 2 we read the angel of the Lord appeared to them and told them the good news, the message “today, in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” After the heavenly host appeared and exclaimed their praise as a crowd heralding the arrival of a King the shepherds took the step of faith because they believed and they went to Bethlehem and found the baby Jesus just as the angels had said. Now note their importance. Vs 17 “when they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them... The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
Can you imagine what would have happened if the shepherds had not believed ... and stayed in the field. The message that God revealed to them would not have gotten out. The announcement of Jesus’ arrival would have laid dormant in the heart of Mary, who treasured these things inside of herself. Belief set the message in motion ... and the word spread, and is still being spread today.
4. The fourth miracle was the story of the magi, wise-men from the Orient who discovered a star ... one that had not been seen before ... Somehow in their days of learning they must have learned shared some knowledge, that only God could have given them, that a King was to be born to the Jewish nation ... and when the star appeared they prepared for a journey ... confident that indeed a King had been born ... they believed.
They came bearing gifts and followed this moving star until it stood still in the night sky. They rejoiced and came to the house where Jesus was ... the star directly overhead! There they found him, and knew him ... because they believed.
The miracles of Christmas still have a powerful effect on us today. When we believe we see.
God is still doing miracles in our lives today.
What other god welcomes you into His presence for a hug and gives daily instruction for our lives each day. What other god would sacrifice His only son, who was the miracle of Christmas, to pay the price of our sin so that we would not have to pay for it with our lives. What other god loves us so much that he commands us to ask him for our daily needs ... so that he can provide for us out of love. What other god demands so little of us, yet gives us so much in return. What other god invites us to invite him into our hearts and he comes to live inside of us as the Holy Spirit ... not just living around us. All it takes is belief ... to believe ... and God does miracles in our lives.
My friends, there are no other gods ... there is only one that is real and alive ... and He is the Father who gave us Jesus Christ, the son of the living God, the Almighty God who created the heavens and earth, who created man, and who knows you by name ... because he created you and loves you.
We are the result of miracles ... God knit us together in our mothers womb (Psalm 139:13), and plans out our every day ... calling us to do good works that he has prepared for us in advance to do (Eph 2:10).
We can see miracles every day ... the only condition is that we believe.
My friends, we have been given the greatest gift we could ever receive when we believed ... the miracle of life, the miracle of Jesus, the miracle of God’s presence living inside of us through the Holy Spirit ... we do see miracles every day.
Every breath we take is a miracle. Every day we meet with God and hear his voice is a miracle. Every prayer we lift to God concerning our hearts desire, and our daily life needs is a miracle because it reaches God and he answers. We believe ... that in itself is a miracle.
Let us not take for granted this season the miracles that happened because people just like you and me believed.
What do you think is the greatest miracle of all that we can experience today, if we just believe?
I think we find it in John 1:12 “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”. John 3:16 adds to this “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son (offspring generated by pro-creation), that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish (not die spiritually), but shall have eternal life (spiritually).”
Before Jesus died and was resurrected he reminded the disciples that he was going to prepare a place for them ... a place called Heaven ... where they, and us who believe, will live with him forever in peace, joy, contentment ...”. This miracle will happen ... for those who will believe.
The miracles of Christmas still have an impact for people today ... so like the shepherds who heard the message let us go and proclaim to all who will hear ... so that the miracle of Christmas can become a reality for others who have yet to believe and receive.
I believe the greatest gift we can give to someone this season, is the gift of Jesus, and new life in Him.
Christmas is indeed the season of miracles. Children believe in miracles this season ... and often times they believe in the miracles of Santa Claus, because that is what they are taught. We as Christians are called to tell them the REAL MIRACLE of Christmas ... the birth of the Son of God ... and what that means for life.
(Illus: Author Unknown) "With 1 week before Christmas REMEMBER:
Jesus is Better than Santa!
Santa lives at the North Pole. JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh. JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa comes but once a year. JESUS is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies JESUS supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited . JESUS stands at your door and knocks. And then enters your heart.
You have to stand in line to see Santa. JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap. JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Santa doesn’t know your name without looking on his list, so it is said.
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly. JESUS has a heart full of love.
Santa offers a HO HO HO. JESUS offers health, help and hope.
Santa says "You better not cry". JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you” ... and its okay to cry.
Santa’s little helpers make toys. JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
Santa may make you chuckle but JESUS gives you joy that is your strength. Jesus gives us a merry heart ... full of laughter and glee.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree. JESUS became our gift and died on the tree, then came back to life and is preparing a place in heaven for all who believe.
It’s obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in Christmas.
Merry Christmas everyone ... and enjoy the miracles and gift of Christmas ... Jesus."
If you don’t have him in your heart, and want to receive the greatest miracle and gift God is giving, then come forward and we will help you receive what you seek... all you need to do is BELIEVE.
