Manger in the Light of the Cross

I love Christmas!  I love most of the trappings of Christmas–I even love fruitcake, but Christmas is not just about the trees, lights, presents, or even the family get-togethers.  Beyond all these things, Christmas represents the great love of God for the world, manifested in the First Advent of His Son, Jesus Christ.  The scripture says it so well, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV).

The Baby Grows Up — God in Flesh.  We get all warm and cozy thinking about the Baby Jesus in the Manger surrounded by shepherds and stable animals.  It is a beautiful scene and I love nativity scenes but this baby grows up.  He comes up from the Jordan River baptized by John the Baptist and begins to preach, “The Kingdom of God is at hand…” (Mark 1:15 NKJV). 

He walked in the full expression of the Father — He is Immanuel (God with us).  He shows compassion for the sick and heals.  He sees the anguish of the oppressed and liberates.  He shows kindness to an adulteress and forgives.  He grieves with families and resurrects the dead.  And He offers living water to a thirsty Samaritan.  Yes, our Baby Jesus grows up to be a man — the Son of God and yet, Son of Man.

The Baby Offers Up — Savior on the Cross.  Jesus came, taught, and healed but His primary objective was to be the ultimate sacrifice for sin.  He is described in Revelation 13:8 (NKJV) as the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world”.  Jesus was not a “plan B” because of man’s failure and sin, but He was the foreordained Savior to redeem fallen mankind. 

A search of Heaven and Earth revealed only one [Jesus] who was worthy to open the scroll of God’s redemptive plan for all of man, for all of time (See Revelation 5).  On the cross Jesus proclaimed, “It is finished” (John 19:30 NKJV)!

The Baby Goes Up — King on the Throne.  Jesus offered His blood on the altar of Heaven (cf. Hebrews 9:12) and took His place on the right hand of the Father.  He is the eternal King of Kings, whose Kingdom will never end and He will “reign till He has put all enemies under His feet” (1 Corinthians 15:25 NKJV).

Worship Jesus — Our Immanuel, our Savior, and our King this Christmas and every day!

Yours on the Journey,

Harry Whitt

Pathway Outreach Ministries

Note:  Edited and reposted post from 2016.