The Cross and Christmas

The Cross in Christmas! (Part 2)

"She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid Him in a feeding trough." Luke 2:7

"Joseph took the body (of Jesus), and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock." Matthew 27:59-60

There is nothing more beautiful than the Christmas story and the news of the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord.

I welcome you to the manger on that blessed Holy Night to see the Child lying in a manger. Now let your mind move forward thirty three years later, and let's blend the two to see the story in context.

See the Baby Jesus clean and washed in His mother's arms.

Now see Him crucified, covered in blood and nailed to the cross as His weeping mother watches.

See the Baby Jesus and look at those tiny Hands and fingers.

Now see Him touching the leper, the eyes of the blind and breaking the loaves of bread. Oh, see those hands holding a rugged cross and then see them nailed to the cross with the ringing of hammer against the nail!

See the Baby Jesus with rosy cheeks and soft tender skin.

Now see Him parched from the desert sun as He fasts and prays for forty days. Oh, the soft face now dripping blood as He prays in agony in the Garden. Hear the slap from angry hands upon His face during His trial and beatings. His face now covered with spit and blood!

See the Baby Jesus with his little bits of hair covering His head.

But now witness that head with the crown of thorns cutting through the skin to the scull and causing even more blood and humiliation.

See the lips of this Baby Jesus part and cry out for feeding as His mother comforts Him. Stand still and hear this Man speak: Words of life, and Words like no one has ever spoken. Hear Him saying "Thy sins are forgiven thee", "Arise and walk", "Lazarus come forth!" Years from that moment of birth those same lips cry out "I Thirst", "My God, My God why hast Thou forsaken Me?" And there was 'NO ONE' to comfort Him!

See the chest of this Baby Jesus rise and fall as He breaths His first breaths.

Hear the cry from the cross, "Father into Thy Hands I commend My Spirit", and there is no more breath... just death!
See those feet of this Baby Jesus soft and tender and ever so sweet.

Look now and see this same Jesus walking from village to village preaching and teaching and healing and loving and traveling throughout the land. Now, see those same feet pierced with nails holding Him to the cross!

See the beautiful back of that Baby Jesus.

Oh, we must turn our heads from the awful, horrible view of the Roman scourge ripping skin and tearing flesh with each swing of the whip.

On and on I could go looking at the beauty of that Baby Jesus, and the cost of our redemption by Him who never knew sin, yet became sin for us.

But I leave you with this:

"His Face was disfigured beyond that of any man and His appearance marred beyond human likeness." Isaiah 52:14

All of this for you and I. Jesus arose and ascended to heaven and lives and rules over all things, and is ready to hear your prayer and the prayer of anyone calling on His Name.

There is a mission for us to 'go and tell'; for the glorious news of Jesus to be shared with every person on earth. This is why Jesus came. It is for us now to get the thrilling news out.

I challenge you to get "The Cross" DVD and book and give it this Christmas. Share a gift that can last forever. Give Jesus!

The story of "The Cross" is one of the world's greatest adventures which appeals to both young people and adventurers, and is inspiring and uplifting as well. Give it to your best friends with love. They will love the stories and come to see Jesus and the cross in a new way. They will see the cross as a reflection of the love of God. They will see and feel the love of Jesus.

This is the perfect gift for hurting or struggling people, as well as a challenging gift to people ministering and doing mission and outreach work.

It will also help lead you in sharing Jesus with others and living out your mission and calling.

I am praying for every person that views this movie.

God bless you all.

Arthur and Denise Blessitt
Luke 18:1
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