(A)way on a Cross

Christmas time is one time of year that world focuses on Christ. Countless Christmas songs sing of his birth. The saying goes "Jesus is the Reason for the Season". I'm glad that Jesus is the reason for the season, I just wish he was the reason for every season of our lives.

I like the emphasis on Christ and songs that are sung in praise to Jesus name every December. Joy to the world because the Lord came into it on a silent, holy night. A night where the Harold angels sang, "Glory to the newborn king!"

Although we have no historical or Biblical evidence of Jesus being born on December 25 or even in the winter time, it is still good for the world to recognize and sing songs of the little Lord Jesus who was born away in a manger.

More significantly though is his death than his birth. Through his death, Jesus made a way on a cross.

He made

-a way for us to have our sins forgiven and washed clean (1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:7; Heb. 9:28)

-a way for us to be made holy before God's presence (Hebrews 10:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:12)

-a way for us to be called a child of God (Galatians 3:26; Galatians 4:4-7)

-a way for us to come before God's presence in prayer (Hebrews 4:14-16; Ephesians 3:11-12; John 14:14; 1 John 5:14)

-a way for us to have a home with him through eternity (John 3:16; 1 John 2:25)

The Bible says that the day of one's death is better than the day of their birth (Ecclesiastes 7:1). How much greater is the day of Jesus' death than his birth? We however do not have to celebrate this once a year during the Christmas season only. We can celebrate his death and the joy it brings to us every day of the year.

However, the death would have not have been possible without his birth, so the day that God became flesh and dwelt among us is something to sing about for sure! That is when the world beheld the glory of the only begotten son (John 1:14). Joy to the world, indeed!

Even in some of the songs we sing of his birth at Christmas time emphasizes and points to the significance of his death.

For on that holy night of our dear Savior's birth, long lay a world in sin and error pining, until he appeared and the soul felt it's worth. It is a thrill of hope for a weary world and it rejoices that Christ the savior is born. It's a new and glorious morn for those who know this Christ because he came to save us all from Satan's power when we have gone astray and that sure brings me tidings of comfort and joy! And I hope it does you too this Christmas and every season of life.

In the streets of that little town of Bethlehem an everlasting light was shining so bright that it paved a path to the cross. What child is this that grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52) and made a way for you and me on a cross? This, this is Christ the king. So, come all you faithful, come let us adore him.