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The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, Wants You to Have the Proper Mindset
It’s time; are you ready to go back to school? We all understand that summer seems to go by too quickly. But soon, students will be back in the classroom, picking up their studies once again. So, the question again is: are you ready to go back to school? The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, wants every student to be ready to go as they enter the classroom. With this in mind, we want to discuss your school preparations for this month’s blog. This is not, however, a list of supplies to buy at Target or Wal-Mart. This is a call for students to focus, study hard, and approach the coming year with a good attitude. Maintaining the right attitude and mindset is half the battle when it comes to going back to school.Focus on Studying Hard with a Good Attitude
A good way to view your education in elementary school, high school, and even college is that it is your job. It is one of your highest priorities. You are building your foundation for the future, and you want the foundation to be strong as possible. It’s an old adage, but just as true today: “You answer for you.” It is ultimately your responsibility to listen in class, do your homework, and study as hard as you can. You need to adopt this work ethic and a positive attitude. Keep your eyes on the big picture. And remember that it is OK to ask for help. Everyone has a subject or two that they may not understand as easily as others. Your teacher is there to help you. Ask them to clarify or further explain the subject matter. Teachers are not your enemies. They want to see you thrive and succeed!The R.O.C.K. Club Wants to Help You with Your School Year
Your friends here at The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, want to see you thrive and succeed, too. We offer a wide variety of faith-based educational programs for children from preschool to 12 years old. Our goal is to ensure that we meet the specific needs of every child that attends our programs. We strive to meet the academic and spiritual needs of the New River Valley families that we serve. Our team would love to help you, too. Contact us today to discover what The R.O.C.K. Club can do for you. For more information on The R.O.C.K. Club’s Christ-centered childcare and educational programs, call us at (540) 267-3000. Let us help you understand how you can have a real relationship with God through Jesus. We want you to academically thrive and succeed as you go back to school!
The R.O.C.K. Club Encourages You to Think About the Reason
It’s July, and people all across the United States of America are thinking about celebrating Independence Day. They may watch the annual hot dog eating contest on television. Families probably will have a picnic with hot dogs, hamburgers, and potato salad. They will definitely enjoy some fireworks when the sun goes down. But how many will give more than a quick thought to the true meaning of Independence Day? More importantly, will you take some time and consider the true meaning of Independence Day? Or will it just be another holiday for you? The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, wants to encourage you to think about freedoms during as you observe Independence Day!Celebrate The Birthday of American Freedom
In early 1776, the United States of America was the dream of patriots desiring freedom from King George III. They made steps to declare their independence as tensions between the colonists and England continued to grow. The Second Continental Congress tasked “the Committee of Five,” to draft the declaration of independence. This group consisted of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. They began work on June 11, 1776, giving the writing duties to Jefferson after discussing the content. The committee presented its finished document to Congress on June 28, 1776. On July 4, Congress voted for its approval of this Declaration of Independence, and the delegates signed it. At that moment, they all became traitors against the British crown, under penalty of death.Remember A Celebration of Freedom and Those Who Fought to Win It
The conflict between the American colonies and the British continued until October 1781. At this point, British General Cornwallis surrendered after the siege of Yorktown, VA. The British finally recognized American independence. Both sides signed the Treaty of Paris in 1783, and the dream of the United States of America was realized. Though the fighting began one year before the Declaration of Independence and lasted five years, they signed it on July 4, 1776. That is what we celebrate on Independence Day. We celebrate the birthday of the United States of America and remember those who fought hard to obtain our freedom.You Can Experience Freedom in Jesus
This Independence Day, we will once again be grateful for the freedom we have in the United States of America. But there is another freedom, a greater freedom, that all of us can experience. It doesn’t matter if we are citizens of the United States of America or not. This freedom is open to every person. This is freedom from sin, from both guilt and penalty. Jesus won this freedom for us on the cross when he took our place in punishment. All sin must be punished, just like a criminal in court. And every one of us is a sinner and deserves punishment. But Jesus loved you so much that He took your place and paid the price for you. Now, to have this freedom, you just have to come to Jesus and trust Him to save you. Pray and ask Him to be your Savior. And you, too, can experience freedom in Jesus. The Bible reads, in John 8:36, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” For more information on The R.O.C.K. Club’s Christ-centered childcare and educational programs, call us today at (540) 267-3000. Let us help you understand how you can have a real relationship with God through Jesus. We want you to personally experience the freedom found in Jesus and know Him when you are celebrating Independence Day!
The R.O.C.K. Club Wants to Help You Make Your Summer Memorable
School break is here (or soon will be), and that means it’s time for summer activities. There are some amazing, memorable, and fun things to do over the summer. However, many kids and teens will spend their summer watching hours of TV or streaming services, or playing video games. We understand that summer is a break from studying, tests, and school. And everyone deserves to kick back and relax once in a while. But there are so many activities to do during summer break, cool and interesting activities that will make summer memorable. At The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, we want to help you discover some amazing summer activities, maybe in your own backyard. This month, let’s take a look at how to have the fun summer to remember for a lifetime.Is Summer Designated as “Lazy Time”?
Isn’t it the “right,” however, of every student, to be lazy for three months until school starts again? Isn’t it a rite of passage to wake up late, lay on the couch all day, and go back to bed? Not really. There is so much to do during the summer, but being lazy or procrastinating usually rules the time. Think about this, though: When you are older, will you fondly remember the time you streamed an entire series in one day? But you may ask, what else is there to do?Follow Your Imagination to Amazing Summer Activities
There is an infinite amount of summer activities, and they are limited only by your imagination. Scrolling through the Internet or social media is a pastime for many during the summer. Be proactive, and search for destinations or activities in your own town or county. Visit a museum. See how many books you can read before school starts again. Discover programs at state parks, or just get outdoors and learn about nature for yourself. Find out about camps, or even day camps, dedicated to any possible subject. Your church may sponsor a trip to a week-long youth camp. Look around for summer jobs to make some money and learn some new skills. The list is endless, and you may even discover a life-long interest or hobby this summer.Get Proactive, and Make This a Memorable Summer
The main focus is to be proactive, and not lazy. You may have an interest or aptitude in science, art, or history, but you don’t yet realize it. Summer is waiting for you. Will you experience it to its fullest? This is the time to discover and do. Determine that this summer you will find a new abundance of summer activities to enjoy. This summer can be the summer to do, see, and experience cool things. Make it memorable. For more information on The R.O.C.K. Club’s Christ-centered childcare and educational programs, call us today at (540) 267-3000. Let us also help you understand how you can have a real relationship with God through Jesus. Have a great summer, and enjoy a bunch of cool summer activities!
At The R.O.C.K. Club, We Want You to Finish with Hard Work
Every student, from kindergarten to college, should want a strong finish to the school year. A strong finish will carry their momentum through the summer months and into the next term. However, as thoughts of a coming break circulate in their minds, many students just want to finish. They allow themselves to burn out or just coast in neutral to the finish line. This is especially true for seniors, as the infamous “senioritis” settles into their systems. In a race, successful runners work hardest with the finish line in sight. The same should be true for students. We here at The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, want to help you with a strong finish to the school year. With that in mind this month, let’s look at the effort that will fuel your finish this term.A Strong Finish to the School Year Depends on Focus and Effort
So, how do you manage a strong finish to the school year? It’s all about effort and focus. One trend in today’s society that people love to discover is “life hacks.” However, there is no hack for hard work. Simply put, to have a strong finish, you have to keep pushing hard to the very end. There is an old saying: “Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched.” This lesson is to not get ahead of yourself. This happens regularly, however, for many students at the end of the school year. As May flips the calendar, their effort and focus give way to thoughts of summer activities uninhibited by tests and homework. You have to push those thoughts to the background, and first finish your schoolwork. Dig deep, focus on the present, and give it your best effort.Success is In Your Hands; Work Hard
What is the catalyst, though, to this hard work and focus? What fuels the effort? What is the wood to the fire that will carry you to a strong finish to the school year? The answer is a view of the big picture. You are currently building the foundation for your future. What is school? It is much more than learning historical facts, or how to do algebra. While those are important, you also learn how to think and work. That will help you in every area of your life, no matter what path you choose. With an eye on your future, instead of the instant gratification of summer activities, you will see how important it is to strongly finish. Success is in your hands. Determine in your heart and mind that you will focus and work hard. For more information on The R.O.C.K. Club’s Christ-centered childcare and educational programs, call us today at (540) 267-3000. We also want to help you understand how you can have a real relationship with God through Jesus. Working hard with focus can help you have a strong finish to the school year.
Here at The R.O.C.K. Club, We Want You to Know Jesus
Do you know the Easter story, the reason behind the holiday? It’s not about bunnies, chocolate, candy, and baskets. Those are definitely fun bonuses to the season’s activities. But they don’t represent the true meaning of Easter. So then, the question is: what is the holiday really about? Why do we celebrate Easter every spring? The true meaning behind the celebration is the resurrection of Jesus, God’s Son, winning victory over death. He was crucified on a cross, bled, and died, but three days later, He rose from the grave. Here at The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, we want you to understand the true meaning of the Easter holiday. So, this month, let’s take a deeper look at the Easter story.Truly Understanding the Easter Story
Even though Easter is about Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, the story starts even before that. To truly understand the Easter story, you must first understand the truth that all people are sinners. In the Bible, Romans 3:23 reads, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Every one of us has done wrong things, and that sin separates us from a holy God. There was nothing we could ever do to make amends to God, and our punishment was death. In the Bible, Romans 6:23 reads, “For the wages of sin is death.” But God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, as a substitute to take our punishment. Jesus paid for our sins on the cross when He died, and then He rose from the grave to give us victory over death. That is the Easter story. It’s a story of victory, a story of love, and a story of grace. It’s a story where God gave us what we didn’t deserve.You Can Personally Have a Relationship with Jesus
There’s one more thing to know about the Easter story: It’s about you. As we said above, all people are sinners, and deserve punishment for their sins. That includes you. But Jesus loves you so much that He gave you the greatest gift He could, the gift of Himself. He shed His blood and died for your sins. He paid the debt you owed. And now, to have eternal life and a real relationship with God, all you have to do is trust Jesus. Ask Him for salvation. He offers eternal life to you as a gift. Will you accept His gift or reject it? The most important decision in life is what to do with Jesus. What will you do? For more information on The R.O.C.K. Club’s Christ-centered childcare and educational programs, call us today at (540) 267-3000. Let us help you understand how you can have a real relationship with God through Jesus. We want you to personally experience the truth, love, and grace of the Easter story!
We Here at The R.O.C.K. Club Want You to Follow God’s Leading
Here’s something to seriously consider: Are you hearing God’s voice? There are many voices competing for our attention in our society. They come from many different places, and all get louder and louder, talking over each other. They all want you to listen to them. But there is only one voice that has your very best interests at heart. That is God’s voice. He has the perfect plan for your life, the plan that will bring true joy and peace. He wants you to hear Him, listen to Him, and follow Him. But how can you truly know if you are hearing God’s voice? We here at The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, want to help you to hear God’s voice in your life.Elijah Heard God’s ‘Still Small’ Voice
First off, the Bible gives us an amazing example of someone hearing God’s voice in 1 Kings 19. The prophet Elijah had just won a great battle for God over wicked King Ahab in the previous chapter. After hearing what he had done, the evil Queen Jezebel threatened to kill him, and Elijah ran away. He was listening to the voices of fear and sadness. In the wilderness, he even said that he simply wanted to die. However, God met him there. The Bible states that there was a great wind, but the voice of God wasn’t in the wind. There was also an earthquake and a fire, but God’s voice wasn’t in those epic events, either. God’s voice came as a “still small voice” to Elijah. Elijah had to be listening.You Can’t Hear God’s Voice Without Personally Knowing Him
Just like to Elijah, God’s voice doesn’t come to us through bombastic means. God still speaks in a still small voice to those who are listening for him. There are some things to remember, however. First, you can’t hear God’s voice without personally knowing Him. There is a big difference between knowing Him and knowing about Him. The only way you can personally know God is through trusting Jesus Christ as your Savior. Next, you must be in tune with Him. You can’t hear your favorite radio station if you don’t tune your radio to it. The same goes for God. You must know Him and be right with Him. You won’t hear an audible voice, but God will speak in your life. Lastly, God will never tell you anything that doesn’t match up with His Word, the Bible. God never contradicts Himself, so His plan for your life will match the Bible. Are you prepared for hearing God’s voice? He has great things ready for you. You just have to listen. For more information on The R.O.C.K. Club’s Christ-centered childcare and educational programs, call us today at (540) 267-3000. Let us help you understand how you can have a real relationship with God through Jesus. We are in your corner, and we want you to experience hearing God’s voice!The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, Cares About You and Your Family
One of the great needs in our culture is the need for people to create and maintain healthy relationships. Everything today, it seems, is instant, digital, and “on-the-go,” including our personal interactions. Screen time takes the place of family time. Long, deep conversations have given way to text messages, even between people in the same room. We’re not saying that modern technology is a bad thing. It makes many laborious tasks much easier and brings people together from great distances. But when it takes the place of healthy relationships, it needs to be re-evaluated. This month, we here at The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, want to discuss the need for healthy relationships.Learn About the Need for Healthy Relationships in Our Culture
Take a look around you as compared to decades ago. Yes, we still had problems. Yes, there were still fights, people at odds with each other, and broken homes. But these issues, and more, have reached critical mass in our present society. The dire need for healthy, face-to-face, personal relationships is more evident than ever before. We have closer relationships with our smartphones, gaming consoles, and streaming services than our own spouse, children, or friends. It is common to see a family or a group of friends together with everybody on their phones or devices. Beyond technology, there are many broken families in the United States. The National Fatherhood Initiative reports that, according to the United States Census Bureau, 18.3 million children live in fatherless homes. Our hats are off to those single parents who love their children and fight to make it work. We need a resurgence of healthy familial relationships and friendships in the United States today.Understand How to Create Healthy Relationships Between Spouses
It’s a fact; if you are married, your closest interpersonal relationship should be with your spouse. Your marriage is vitally important. Marriage and the family are the first institutions ever created by God. In the Bible, Genesis 2:24 reads, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” God constructed your marriage for a purpose. It is worth fighting for. Schedule regular date nights between you and your spouse with no children and no screens. Just enjoy each other’s company and conversation. Get your face out of your device and hold hands with your spouse. Talk to your spouse. Kiss your spouse in front of your children, so that they can see that Daddy and Mommy still love each other. Too many people give up on their marriage because, as they say, “they fell out of love.” No, you “fell” out of infatuation. There’s a big difference. Love isn’t a feeling. Love is a verb. Love is worthwhile work. Work hard at it.Create Healthy Relationships with Your Children
Your children need you. They need you much more than your job needs you or your hobby needs you. Too many parents, especially fathers, prioritize other things above healthy relationships with their children. And the children suffer for it. The home is where they learn about love, respect, manners, and adherence to authority. Children need your love, support, and guidance. When we as parents don’t offer that, they will find it on the Internet, their friends, or other unhealthy avenues. Make “game night” with your children a regular occurrence, with no screens and no distractions. When your children want to talk, listen. Spend quality time with them. Learn what they like and get involved with it. Reassure them that you love them, in word and action. Children need their “home team.”Have Healthy Relationships with Friends
In the 17th century, English poet John Donne wrote, “No man is an island, entire of itself.” This is just as true today as it was then. We are not meant to go through life without the support and love of others. In the Bible, Proverbs 27:17 reads, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so, a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” As well, Proverbs 17:17 reads, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” God wants us to have friends to lean on and link shields with, in good and bad times. This comes, however, with a caveat. When we were young, our parents told us to not run around with people who will get us in trouble. This advice goes for adults as much as children. Our healthy relationships need to be with friends who will love us, support us, and encourage us. No healthy friendship exists with someone who belittles you, always acts selfishly, or wants to cause problems.It’s Important to Have a Healthy Relationship with Jesus Christ
The most important relationship that you can have, though, isn’t with your spouse. It isn’t with your children or your friends. The most important, most beneficial relationship that you can have is with Jesus. He loves you so much that He came to shed His blood and die on a cross for your sins. Jesus wants you to have eternal life, so He took your punishment for you. In the Bible, Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus is the one friend who will stick by you throughout your life. In Hebrews 13:5, He tells us, “… I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” He will always guide you on the right path as you follow Him, day after day. The best, healthiest relationship of your life can start right now. Realize that you are a sinner and that your sin deserves punishment in a place called Hell. But Jesus took that punishment for you, and now He will save you if you call out to Him.The R.O.C.K. Club is Here for You and Your Family
Here at The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, we care about your entire family. We offer Christ-centered childcare and educational programs for your children. But we also want to see healthy relationships among families and friends all across the New River Valley. Most of all, we pray that you will see the importance of having a relationship with Jesus Christ. If you have any questions about salvation and following Jesus, please call us. We would love to explain more to you about how you can have eternal life through Jesus Christ. There will always be trouble, obstacles, and problems in the world. But with healthy relationships, and Jesus leading the way, we will be more than conquerors (Romans 8:37)! Learn more about healthy relationships and The R.O.C.K. Club’s Christ-centered childcare and educational programs, call us today at (540) 267-3000. Let us help you understand how you can have a real relationship with God through Jesus. Let’s fight for our spouses, children, and friends by having healthy relationships!
The R.O.C.K. Club Wants to Help You Reboot the Right Way
With every new year, the possibility of starting new shines again like the dawn of another day. The opportunities are endless; the new year is like a blank canvas. Your restart can be something as simple as getting organized to something much bigger, like a career change. But as the calendar turns from 2021 to 2022, the rest of your life stretches out to the horizon. Will you make the choice to change and reboot your life? Many people make New Year’s resolutions every Jan. 1. And a majority of those people break those same resolutions on Jan. 2. Well, maybe not that quickly. But according to a Jan 28, 2020, New York Post article, the average person breaks their resolution by Feb. 1. That’s just 32 days. However, the article reported that 68 percent of the polled people gave up even sooner than that.Support on Starting New in 2022 with The R.O.C.K. Club
Here at the R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, we want to help you restart the right way. We care about you and desire to see you succeed with starting new this year. This month, let’s discuss starting new, whether you just want to add one good habit or change your lifestyle. First, let’s explore why we give up on our new directions so quickly. Then, we will look at a few tips to help you on your way to starting new. We may be geared toward educating children in the New River Valley, but we want to see the entire family succeed.Starting New: Why Do We Give Up So Quickly?
So, we have to ask the obvious, elusive question: Why do we give up so quickly on starting new? We decide to change something for the better, and, one month later, we are back in the same rut. What happened between January and February? The truth is there are a myriad of reasons why we fail. It’s different for every person. The wise choice, however, before you personally make a resolution is to do a little “soul-searching.” Take a truthful inventory of your personality, including your faults. Recognize any potential obstacles, and make a plan to overcome them. Don’t just jump into the new year with the unbothered declaration of “I’m doing this!” You will just find yourself in the same place on Jan. 1, 2023.Old Habits Can Be Hard to Change When Starting New
As we already said, there are countless reasons why we fail with starting new in the new year. Even so, here are a few common issues that we may have to overcome:We are entrenched in our old habits.
There is a reason we call them “habits.” These actions are settled tendencies in our lives, and we perform them without even thinking. From chewing pencils to smoking cigarettes, these habits have entrenched themselves in our lives and personalities. It is always much easier to fall back into our old ways than to try to cut a new path. It is presently more comfortable for us, even though those old ways may be very harmful over time.We really don’t want to restart.
We can easily make bold proclamations. People do it every day, from your co-worker to politicians in Washington, D.C. As the old saying states, “Talk is cheap.” And another old saying declares that “actions speak louder than words.” Do you really want to restart? Or did you just make a “resolution” because that’s what you do when the new year comes? Before you ever change anything, you have to truly decide that you must change it.We tend to procrastinate.
Unfortunately, it’s human nature. We put things off until “tomorrow,” “next Monday,” “next month,” or “next year.” A few of us may be go-getters. But, more often than not, most of us have some tendency toward procrastination. When we decide to change, or we stumble in that pursuit, we look toward the next day with good intentions. However, the next day then becomes the next day, and our reboot soon slips out of mind.We aim too high.
Sure, we have big goals, but it is possible to aim too high. We set out to conquer Mount Everest on Jan. 1. When we haven’t yet climbed the foothills two weeks into the new year, we get discouraged. We let that discouragement and disappointment cause us to “postpone” or completely quit. Our restart then sputters to a standstill.We lack support and accountability.
Everyone needs someone. We need the support and encouragement of our family and friends. But, many times, when it comes to resolutions or restarts, we travel the “lone wolf” route. This is especially true with men. We try to reboot our lives without a support system, when an accountability partner or encouragement would be beneficial.Tips to Keep Moving Forward with Starting New
We have explored some reasons why our restarts can falter. Next, let’s look at some tips to keep moving forward with starting new. Remember, though, your situation is unique. It is beneficial for you to complete a truthful personal inventory and understand your strengths and shortcomings.Build and rely on a tribe.
Reach out for help and support. Even with a “small” reboot, depend on the encouragement of others. Work together with somebody toward your goals. Find an accountability partner who can ask you the tough questions and expect truthful answers.Make a plan.
Very few victories come without a plan. Decide what you want to do, and map your way to that goal. Simple decisions can be abstract; when the path to victory is concrete in writing, the unachievable becomes achievable.Small steps
They say that Rome wasn’t built in a day. You won’t accomplish your reboot in a day, either. Whether you want to organize your life or lose some weight, take it one achievable step at a time. Set an obtainable goal for yourself, hit it like a boss, and set another.Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
Stop procrastinating. You will never achieve what you want to do by waiting until next week. Schedule time into your day to work on your restart goals, and stick to that schedule.Follow Jesus to the Restart of All Restarts
There is one sure way to bring about change in your life. In the Bible, 2 Corinthians 5:17 states, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Jesus offers a restart to everyone. No matter who you are or what you have done, Jesus calls you to come to Him.Why Do We Need Jesus?
Why do we need Jesus, though? Do you remember that personal inventory we talked about before? If you were honest with yourself, you saw a lot of shortcomings and wrongdoings. It is true for all of us. The Bible calls it “sin.” And while God loves us, He is holy, which means He has no sin. In fact, He can’t be in the presence of sin. Our sinful actions have pushed us away from God, the relationship for which we were created. Not only that, but we face punishment for our sins, like a criminal in court. That punishment is physical death and spiritual death, separation from God for eternity in a place called Hell. There is nothing we could do ourselves to make amends to God, because our sin taints everything that we do.Find Eternal Life Through Jesus for Starting New
But God loves you so much that He made a way for you to justification and reconciliation. He gave His Son, Jesus, to take your place in punishment. Jesus shed His blood and died on a cross for your sins. He then resurrected from His grave three days later in victory over death. He paid your debt, and like in a court of law, there is no double jeopardy. There is no second punishment for the same crime. Jesus now offers eternal life and a new restart to you. All that you have to do is believe in Him and ask Him to save you. In the Bible, John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”Starting New in 2022 with a New Relationship with God
You can have a relationship with God. It is possible through Jesus, and through Him alone. Pray and ask Jesus to forgive your sins and save you. It is not the exact words of the prayer that will save you; just mean it. Call out to Jesus. He waits and is listening. Do it now. Changing your life is not a decision left for “tomorrow,” “next Monday,” or “the new year.” You may have followed your own way for years. Start new this year by following Jesus. If you have decided to follow Jesus, contact us at The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA. We want to help you in your new relationship with Jesus. For more information on The R.O.C.K. Club’s Christ-centered childcare and educational programs, call us now at (540) 267-3000. Let us help you understand how you can have a real relationship with God through Jesus. Meeting Jesus and deciding to follow Him is the best method of “starting new”!
Let’s Consider the Birth of Jesus
There once was a little child who, while in Sunday School, was asked to recount the Christmas story. He thought for a moment. Then, very earnestly, he said, “There was a boy who wanted a BB gun, but he shot his eye out.” His teacher, holding back a laugh, thanked him, but added, “I didn’t mean that Christmas story.” We all enjoy countless Christmas movies when this wonderful season arrives each year. We settle in with some hot chocolate and a warm blanket, as the Christmas tree glows and snow falls outside. It seems like everyone knows every one of these stories, even every line of dialogue, by heart. From a grouchy, old miser in Victorian London to a human raised by elves at the North Pole, these yuletide tales are well-known.Are You Familiar with the True Christmas Story?
But do you know the Christmas story, the true Christmas story? Are you familiar with the real “reason for the season”? We here at The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, want everyone to understand the true story behind the holiday. We enjoy the Christmas season so much, with all of the lights, traditions, gifts, and warm feelings. But it’s all superficial if you miss the real meaning. This month, let’s consider the genuine purpose behind this season, the true Christmas story. Let’s consider the birth of Jesus Christ.We’ll Tell You the Truth of the Christmas Story
According to an article from worldpopulationreview.com, 160 countries worldwide celebrate Christmas in one way or another. But those numberless celebrations all point back to one night more than 2,000 years ago. They point back to a little town outside of Jerusalem, to a seemingly insignificant stable, to a manger full of hay.Joseph and Mary Made the Trip to Bethlehem
Rome ruled most of the world. The Roman emperor, Augustus Caesar, had placed a tax on the entire empire. To obtain a correct count of people for the taxes, everyone had to return to the city where they were born. A young man named Joseph, who lived in Nazareth, packed up his belongings and, with his pregnant fiancée, Mary, began his journey. They traveled nearly 100 miles to reach the town of Bethlehem, outside of the capital of Jerusalem. Among the many, many travelers, there would have been seemingly nothing different about these two young people. But the whole of history centered on this trip to Bethlehem.God Chose Mary to Give Birth to His Son
To understand the significance of this “insignificant” couple, let’s look back a few more months. An angel visited both Mary, who was still a virgin, and Joseph. This angel told them that God chose Mary to give birth to His Son, the promised Messiah of so many prophecies. As they traveled those long miles to Bethlehem, Mary drew closer and closer to labor. When they arrived in town, Joseph searched everywhere for a place to stay. But, with the many travelers like themselves, all they could find was a shabby stable behind a local inn. It was here where the hopes of the past and the confidence of the future would meet.Born in a Stable, Only Visited by Shepherds
That very night, Mary gave birth to her son. They named him Jesus, in accordance to the words of the angel. In the Bible, Matthew 1:21 reads, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” This boy – God’s Son, the promised Messiah, the King of the Jews – was not born surrounded by the adornments of a palace.Royal Town Criers Didn’t Announce the Birth of Jesus
Royal town criers didn’t announce His birth to the entire land. In fact, the only birth announcement that night came from a host of angels to mere shepherds in a field. Why is that? It is because Jesus came for everyone, not just the rich, the powerful, and the royal. His purpose was to save the entire world from a curse, the curse of sin.The Christmas Story Includes You
So then, what is the significance of Jesus’ birth? Why is it vitally important to us, more than 2,000 years later? It is important because the Christmas story also includes you. Jesus came to save the world from their sins. John 3:16 in the Bible reads, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” That includes you.All Humans are Born Sinners
Our sins condemn us. All of us have done wrong things. And even though God loves you more than you can imagine, He is holy. This means that He cannot be in the presence of sin. Sin is anything that goes against God’s law. Just like a criminal in court, we deserve punishment for what we have done. That punishment, according to Romans 6:23, is death. This is not just physical death, but spiritual death, too. That means separation from God forever in a place called Hell. But God loved you so much that He made a way for you to have eternal life.Know God’s Way to Heaven and Eternal Life
God cannot just forget or cancel our sins. There is no justice there, and God is a just God. They must be punished. He, however, made a way through His perfect Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus was born that night long ago with one purpose. That purpose was to be your substitute, to take your punishment. God offered a perfect replacement, to pay the debt for your sins. Jesus willingly became that replacement. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 12:2 that Jesus, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…” What was that joy? His joy is spending eternity with you. Jesus loves you, and He died to pay for your sins. He took your sin debt, made it His own, and died on a cross, 33 years after being born in a stable. And since your debt is now paid in full, there are no rituals you have to perform, no good works to complete, or no church to belong to. Then, how do you obtain this eternal life? You just have to call out to Jesus to save you.His Death on the Cross Will Give You Victory Over Death
When Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave three days later, He finished all of the work, and gave you victory over death. He now holds eternal life for you as a gift. What do you do to get a gift? You just receive it. Realize that you are a sinner. Realize that your sin condemns you to death. Realize that there is nothing you can do to save yourself. And realize and believe that Jesus paid the price for your sins on the cross. Pray to Him, ask Him to save you, and you will have eternal life.The Christmas Story Has the Happiest Ending of All
While gifts are a big part of many Christmas celebrations, the Christmas story is the tale of the greatest gift ever given to mankind. Jesus was born to die on the cross 33 years later for your sins. All Christmas movies have happy endings, but this true Christmas story has the happiest ending of all. You are a sinner, but Jesus died for your sins. Now, you can have eternal life by believing and asking Him to save you. If you want to know more about how you can have eternal life, please contact us at The R.O.C.K. Club. We are a Christ-centered childcare and educational organization in Radford, VA, serving the New River Valley. We want you to experience the freedom and victory that comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ. This Christmas, make the best decision you could ever make, and accept the greatest gift ever given. Trust Jesus Christ to save you today. For more information on The R.O.C.K. Club’s Christ-centered childcare and educational programs, call us at (540) 267-3000. We want to help you understand how you can have a real relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This Christmas season, experience the lasting joy that comes through understanding the Christmas story.
