S star, a cross and an crown

Star – The star that led the wise men to where Jesus was has been the source of some people’s discussion and investigation. Was it a real star? Was it an angel? On and on some discussions go, but sometimes we focus so much on portions of the event we miss the true importance. Jesus is the focus and not the star. The wise men knew this and that is why when they arrived where Jesus was, they forgot about the star and worshipped Him and presented gifts to Him. Jesus is the reason for the season

Cross – We rejoice at the birth of family members and we speak of new life and the plans and purposes of this new person. But if you think about it we all begin to die the moment we are born. We grow, mature and go on through life heading toward that ultimate and unavoidable time of death. Jesus was born particularly to die – for the sin of mankind. He lived His life in the shadow of the cross. Even in His birth we see it. He was wrapped in “swaddling clothes””. These were strips of cloth used for wrapping the bodies of dead people. And the myrrh that was given by the wise men was used to enfold in the wrappings for the burial of a person. Jesus grew and matured and all the while He lived in the shadow of the cross – until He was crucified upon it for us.

Crown – When they abused Jesus, one of the abuses involved a crown of thorns. Thorns are the result of the curse placed by God upon creation after Adam sinned. It was recorded, “cursed is everyone that hangs upon a tree”. Jesus became a curse for all mankind, so we could be freed from the curse placed upon sin. He took sin’s penalty and curse upon Him for us. But there is a crown to come for Jesus, for we read in Revelation 19 that he comes back with many crowns upon His head. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He will wear a crown and it will not be thorns this time.

Let us worship this child who was born to save us from our sin. Let us enjoy the day as we celebrate, but let us not lose sight and perception of the true meaning of Christmas.

God bless and Merry Christmas.