Christmas miracles exist because the miracle of Christmas is true. In a world where mis- and dis-function and information are rampant, Christmas ties us to a peaceful “Silent night” past while proclaiming a promised future: “no more lives torn apart…” No such promise of peace exists in any other setting. While secular DEI initiatives crumble, Christmas and the Bible are more popular than ever.
Circana BookScan figures show that while book sales generally are only up 1%, 2024 Bible sales are up 22%. In May, Gen-Z-ized Bible rephrasings began trending on TikTok. While 18-25-year-olds are frustrated with government, society and life, the Bible, with its Christmas story, parables and music, has been refreshing people and nations for centuries, and Gen-Z is catching on.
In April 2019, my heart sank as I watched the fire at France’s historic Notre Dame Cathedral. Within hours, the spire, which stood for more than 800 years, crashed into a pool of molten lead. Millions worldwide felt the pain. I’m not Catholic but was moved when French President Macron promised to rebuild.
Friends of Notre Dame reported, “Thousands of donors from more than 50 countries… contributed funds….” Money for restorations came from Christians worldwide and nations like Saudi Arabia. The contributions totaled over €846 million; the love was immeasurable.
The world watched in amazement as 1,200 French oak trees and 1,000 construction professionals restored the cathedral. Some called it a “miracle.” It’s not Jesus rising from the dead in three days, but it’s miracle-ish compared to Notre Dame’s original 200-year construction schedule. The French celebrated the feat with President-elect Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, Prince William, Elon Musk and hundreds of dignitaries.
It’s a testimony to the French people, prayers, and I contend, the enduring power and influence of Christianity on the world. While also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Notre Dame is, first and foremost, a church dedicated to worshiping the Jesus of Christmas.
The impact of Christianity on the world is undeniable, especially this time of year. Retail stores play the Bee Gees singing “O Come All Ye Faithful…” In Christmas classic movies, Jimmy Stewart quotes Scripture. Christmas is still changing the world 2000 years after Jesus’ birth — other attempts at peace and equity fail faster than Middle Eastern dictators.
Colleges and corporations are abandoning DEI. Why? Because it does not engender cooperation, unity, peace or equity, quite the opposite. Rutgers’ NCRI study proved that DEI training made participants more likely to agree with — literally — Hitler. By comparison, Christmas, like its Originator, continues to heal, save, uplift, wed and bless the world.
The historical Jesus is undeniable: Pliny the Younger, Suetonius, Thallus and Jewish historian Josephus record Jesus’ family members’ names, that His followers were called “Christians,” and details about His miracles. Roman historian Tacitus records that He was tried before Pontius Pilate and crucified.
The impact of the Baby of Bethlehem could be correlated without ever opening the Bible. Only two of the top 100 rock songs of all time do not reference Jesus. Art, traditions, names and even athletic teams reflect our connections to Christianity. Because of Christmas, Jesus changed the world. Christians have been changing it ever since.
Quaker Christian Dr. Thomas Bond and Benjamin Franklin founded the first hospital in the colonies, Pennsylvania Hospital. Today, one of the top four U.S. hospitals, its logo still bears the image of a Good Samaritan and the inscription from Jesus’ parable, “Take care of him, and I will repay thee”(Luke 10:35).
Award-winning NYT journalist John S. Dickerson notes, “If you have a deadly medical condition, you want to be in a hospital that was founded by Christians or Christian-trained doctors.”
“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46) was a common first-century slur. The remote hamlet’s reputation likely shaped Mary’s teenage expectations. “Nazareth is nothing. I’m a nobody. Nothing good could ever happen to me…” then an angel called her “highly favored…” the rest is history.
In his book, “Miracles,” C.S. Lewis observed, “It is a Jewish girl at her prayers upon whom all humankind depended. All humanity (so far as it concerns redemption) has narrowed to that.”
If you don’t know where you’re going, Jesus is still the star of Bethlehem. When it’s dark, He’s still the Light of the world. If you’re searching for God, you don’t need to find Him; if you go to His word, He will find you. I’m Alex McFarland — Merry Christmas past, present and future.
Dr. Alex McFarland is a youth, religion and culture expert, a national talk show host and speaker, educator, and is author of 20 books. McFarland directs Biblical Worldview and apologetics for Charis Bible College in Woodland Park, CO. Via the American Family Radio Network, Alex is heard live on Exploring the Word, airing daily on nearly 200 radio stations across the U.S. The Alex McFarland Show airs weekly on NRBTV, providing Biblically faithful TV and discussion on current events affecting our nation.
