Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most assuredly believed among us. Luke 1:1

Christmas is nearly here. The day we celebrate that a fat jolly man that delivers gifts to all the good little boys and girls in the world via a sleigh pulled by eight flying reindeer. Our faith is so strong that Santa Claus will accomplish his impossible task that most of us have spent hours (and lots of money) searching for the perfect gifts for those children, and many others in our lives, over the last several weeks. So confident are we that our children will continue in our steadfast faith of Kris Kringle that we don’t fill their stockings with care or place their wrapped gifts under the tree until after their asleep on Christmas Eve. Santa just needs a little help from his friends (us) in order to ensure the next generation’s undying allegiance to belief in his miraculous powers.

. . .because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. Luke 1:20

Of course there are always the scoffers out there. Those unbelievers that insist Santa is a fairy tale. Some of them even refuse to tell their children he is real at all. But we will persevere against all odds, and even show our faith by leaving out a plate of cookies for Mr. Claus on that special night. Sure we just eat them ourselves after the kids go to bed, but faith without works is dead. Besides, it’s Christmas: Miracles happen.

For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37

Forgive my sarcasm above. But, isn’t interesting how the whole world is always ready for a miracle by the end of the year? Christian or pagan, and everyone in between, we are looking something bigger than ourselves to believe in. If it has been a good year, then the miracles we seek to find are just further confirmation of how wonderful the year has been. And, if it has been a difficult year, then the miracles we seek are a desperate attempt to salvage something to help us through those last dark days of this year. In the Northern Hemisphere it is the darkest month of the year, and we yearn for some light. We yearn for a miracle.

To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:79

And if we get a miracle, what are we going to do with it? Because by definition, miracles are outside the realm of ordinary, rational, explainable, or natural. Miracles can not be proven by the scientific method. They are supernatural. If we receive, or see, the miracle our souls desire will we recognize it as a miracle? And will that miracle have lasting impact on us?

And it was so, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. Luke 2:6

The truth is Christmas did not begin because a fat jolly man that started an act of random kindness movement on a global scale. Christmas begins with Christ, literally. It began with the impossible, the salvation of fallen man through a long prophesied Messiah. It was accomplished by God becoming a man, living as a man, dying as a man, but rising from the dead–proving He was the God/man. It continues thousands of years later to do the miraculous: Changing the heart, soul, and eternal destiny of all who believe.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

Interestingly, so few of us recognize the miracle of Christmas that is repeatedly presented throughout the season. A recent Pew Research survey found only 11% of non-Christians believed that Christ was born of a virgin, laid in a manger, announced by angels to shepherds, and visited by wise men guided by a star. That percent is decreased by nearly half since 2014. More shocking is the decline among Christians that believe in the same basic elements of the Christmas story PRESENTED IN THE BIBLE: Only 85% of professed Christians believe the Biblical account of Christ’s birth. This has decreased by 5% in the last three years. We have stopped believing in the miraculous. And what is painfully obvious is that as our belief in the miraculous has declined, so has our hope. And the year 2017 is full of examples that hope is not trending. What is trending is hate, pride, and unbelief.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10

But, do not despair! We post-modern dwellers are in good company with our progenitors: The human race has a history of doubting the miraculous, even those who were intimately involved with the Biblical account of the Christmas story. In both the gospels of Matthew and Luke there are lists of the ancestors of Christ. While it is true many of these men and women are listed in the roll call of faith in Hebrews 11, their bouts with doubt are also accounted for throughout the Scriptures. Abraham, the friend of God and Patriarch of Israelites, doubted God’s promise of an heir and took it upon himself to fulfill God’s promise by having a son with Hagar. Isaac failed to listen to God about who should have the spiritual birthright, and determined to bless his favorite son instead. In fact, there are doubters, rebels, and downright no good rotten sinners throughout the blood line of Christ.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

But, many of them were recipients of miracles and it changed them, from the inside out. Abraham had that promised heir. Isaac blessed the God chosen son. A harlot married a prince. Her son married a widow from an idolatrous nation that became a true believer. David’s line was preserved despite mistakes, terrible sin, murderous coups, and foreign captivity–many times over. And true to their ancestors, both Jesus’s earthly parents battled doubts about His conception. Yet the miraculous happened, hope was conceived, born, and laid in a manger to be worshipped by shepherds.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:12

Truly miracles are all around us. Not just the ones recorded in Christ’s birth. Not just the Biblical accounts in the Old Testament or the healings performed by Christ during His earthly ministry. Real, live, breathing miracles. Every little one wondrously created in the womb, every sunrise and sunset, every sickness that is not followed by death, and every changed heart is miracle straight from the heart of a Good Father and a God that loves.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14

And we are left with a choice–belief or unbelief.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:18

Recently, our oldest son nearly succumbed to an autoimmune disease complicated by an infection. He was probably within a few days of losing his life. We had done everything we knew to do. We (not mention our church, family, and friends) had prayed every prayer we could. We sought medical advice. Simply put, he was beyond earthly help. There was nothing we could do. For reasons we do not understand, God chose to heal him in His timing. Yes, he received medical intervention. Yes, he continued on a healthy diet. Yes, people prayed. Lots of people. But, when a person with Crohn’s gains 30 pounds in three weeks, there is no medical explanation. There is no rationalizing it. Only God can bring that kind of healing. And it is to Him we give the glory. I do not choose to believe there was something I did, or the doctors did, to obtain this victory. I choose to believe the miracle came from the only One who is capable of the miraculous–God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Luke 2: 20

And now we come back to Christmas. Why Christmas? Because the Christmas story is not just timely, it is full with examples of faith and doubt, belief and unbelief, truth and consequence. Mary chose believe the angel’s proclamation, despite her doubts and fears. She was rewarded with a precious baby, and the only perfect child to ever live. Can you even imagine a non-terrible toddler? That is a rich reward! Joseph chose to believe God and marry Mary despite her marred reputation (and his), and he was rewarded with an obedient, delightful child. The shepherds believed the angels message and got to be the first worshippers of Christ. And they were so excited they told everyone.

. . .Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Matthew 2: 2

But there is another character in the Christmas story. He is often overlooked. Often we purposely leave him out as we repeat the story to small children. But, he is nonetheless a player in the otherwise joyful account. His name is Herod. He was a man of great accomplishment, power, and wealth. He had everything he wanted. His only desire was to secure his absolute power and continued dynasty. When men from the east questioned where the newly born king of the Jews was, he did not rejoice in the news of the long awaited Messiah. He didn’t even know where the Christ was supposed to be born. He was so blind he could not even see the star in his backyard the wise men had followed from far away. He refused to believe in the miraculous, and endeavored to stamp out the hope of all mankind. Yet, even Herod could not win against God. His unbelief, doubt, and fears led him to murder hundreds of innocents. He left a legacy of murderous tyrants, and an example of the consequence of pride and doubt: A life without hope and light, a soul devoid of the love of God. That is not a good ending.

When Herod the king heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Matthew 2: 3

Truly, Christmas is the season of miracles. We can be like Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men and choose to believe in the miracles of the birth of Christ. We can choose to believe the miraculous works of God around us.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the year until child was. Matthew 2: 9

Or we can choose not to believe in God’s plan of salvation: The miracle of the God the Son born as a babe to a virgin and laid in manger. We can, like Herod, choose to believe we can overcome the Almighty God through our own power and might. We can continue to believe the modern myth that if we are good enough gifts will magically appear. Miracles are not earned or obtained, they can only be received. And the greatest miracle is the gift of salvation freely offered to us through belief in the person and the work of Jesus Christ.

And when they were come into the house they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him . . . Matthew 2:11