Page 12 2025 Worship Guide LINCOLN DAILY NEWS December 2025 If Christ had not been born One of my favorite Christmas movies (perhaps yours too) is Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life.” In this warmhearted classic, starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed, it tells the story of George Baily. A man who has put the needs of others above his own needs most all of his life. It’s a Wonderful Life did a fantastic job of illustrating the truth that the life of one individual really can make an incredible difference in the world. Every life born (and unborn) is significant and important. Think of the difference Christmas Day has made. Jesus’ influence on the world is immeasurable – in fact – no other individual life has had the impact on mankind that Jesus’ has had. The great leader and emperor Napoleon once said, “Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and myself founded empires; but upon what did we rest the creation of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ alone founded his empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for him. I search in vain in history to find one similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel…nations pass away, thrones crumble, but the Church remains” (1). Caesar Augustus was a Roman emperor on the day Jesus was born. Augustus (the grandnephew of Julius Caesar) ruled from 34 B.C. to 14 A.D. The reason we ultimately know him (and these facts about him) is all because of Jesus’ birth. Even our calendar is affected by the arrival of Jesus’ birth. We date everything B.C. and A.D. (Before Christ) and (Ann-o Dom-e-knee) which means, “the year of our Lord.” If Jesus were taken out of history many great works of art would be lost. No DaVinci’s “Last Supper.” No Michelangelo’s “Sistine Chapel.” No Raphael’s “Transfiguration.” No Rembrandt’s “Return of the Prodigal Son.” Without the influence of Jesus, art would depict only the finite, but because of His birth
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