I’ll never forget coming home from the hospital with our firstborn. Kylee was (and still is) perfect and beautiful! After our family and friends had all gone home, my wife Haley and I looked at each other with our new baby and for the first time felt the weight of parenting. We were responsible for a human life other than ourselves. As I stared at her in my arms, I truly felt overwhelmed. A baby changes everything! She, and our other two kids, changed our thoughts, actions, and lifestyle for the good. Sixteen years later, I cannot remember and wouldn’t want to do life without her. One thing you realize in having a baby is that although you’re ready, you’re really never ready to have a baby. Even with all the preparation in our hearts, minds, house, and behaviors, the only way to be ready is to have a baby and experience the joys of parenting one day at a time.

A baby changes everything. The baby Jesus changed everything when He entered this world as well. Not only did He change the lives of His mom and dad, He changed everything about the world with a desire and only plan to change everyone in it eternally as well. Jesus is the focal point of time, with His birth changing the way we measure time – BC (Before Christ) and AD (anno domini = “Year of the Lord”). Some have tried to change these so as to stop referring to Jesus, but the world still revolves around Him. Jesus is the most well-known, written about, person in human history, and the Bible is the most published, purchased, gifted, downloaded, and read book of all time. The coming of our Lord as a baby, the Word made flesh that dwelt among us (John 1:14), changed everything and marked the greatest event in human history. Jesus isn’t just a figure that changed history and time. He changes us! He alone can change spirit, soul, and body. He changed me! Jesus alone saves (Acts 4:12). He took me from BC in 1985 to AD in 1985. That year, I crossed from death to life! That’s what John 5:24 and 1 John 3:14 say! 1978 marks the year I was born, but 1985 marks the year I was born again! Whatever the year of my death will not be the end of me! I’ll live eternally with Him in heaven because He has made me a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). He was born to die so we could be born again and live eternally! Jesus’ birth not only changed everything – it changed me, eternally! Jesus really does change everything!

Question: Has the significance of Jesus’ birth brought about new birth in you? Has His death and resurrection caused you to die to your sins and resurrect to new life? Why not make Christmas 2020 the day you were born again (John 3:3-7)?

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stephenrharrison

Stephen and his wife Haley have called Arkansas home all of their lives. Stephen has served in several ministry roles over the last 25 years and as a lead pastor for the last 8 years. Stephen attended Williams Baptist College and earned a BA in Biblical Studies from Ouachita Baptist University, an MA, MDiv, and DMin in Christian Leadership and Pastoral Ministries from Liberty University. When not pastoring, Stephen enjoys running, cycling, reading, writing, camping, fishing, and spending time with his family.