A Babe in the Shadow of a Cross

Kristen headed back to her apartment today. It was time. She is getting around well and is not dependent on the pain medicine anymore. So that is her 3 things for this year. She's done right?!

Steven texted that they arrived in CO. He gave snowboarding a shot today but I think he is going to switch back to skiing. He said that the snowboarding was fun but not really his thing.

I was shocked at how late we all slept this morning. It was 10:15 before I even lifted my head from the pillow! I couldn't believe it. I was bummed that I wasn't going to have enough time to get to church.

I got to thinking about the images of Christmas. We all love the thought of the innocent babe in the manger. It's a beautiful thing to imagine. Those of us that are parents know what it feels like to hold that precious infant. You have such big dreams for your child. You want the world for them. I'm sure Mary and Joseph felt the same. When they were proudly holding Baby Jesus did they see the shadow of the cross. I doubt it. They probably imagined all sorts of other things. I'm sure it never crossed their minds that the purpose of Christ's birth was his ultimate death on a cross. Maybe they could imagine the fanfare of Palm Sunday but surely not the reality of Christ's death. Imagine how Mary felt that day, standing watching her son crucified. I did that. You did that. Generations of sinners did that. God knew there was no other way to bring about salvation. There had to be a sacrifice. That babe in a manger was the sacrifice. Puts a whole other spin on the Christmas story doesn't it. So as you are shopping, baking, wrapping, and celebrating, remember the ultimate gift. An innocent baby in the shadow of a cross. For you. For me. For the world. Have you accepted this gift?

"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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." John 3:16-17 KJV