We admire an infant in the cradle and say, “What a beautiful baby!! Congratulations!!” At that moment we rarely think ahead to what that child will become… experience… or accomplish!
But it wasn’t at all like that with the birth of “Jesus” (the “Christ” – Savior of the world)! Prophets and predicted His role and mission centuries beforehand – and even near His “nativity” His divine mission was anticipated (Matthew 1:18-23 cp. Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:26-35, 39-43; 2:8-11; 25-38)!
This morning, during my time of “Coffee with the Lord,” I read these wonderful words of divine ultimate intention expressed by Apostle John regarding “the babe in the manger”…
“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, THAT GOD SENT HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON INTO THE WORLD, THAT WE MIGHT LIVE THROUGH HIM!
“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us AND SENT HIS SON TO BE THE PROPITIATION [the “One who took upon Himself our sin!” – 2 Corinthians 5:21] FOR OUR SINS!
“And we have seen and testify that the FATHER HAS SENT THE SON AS SAVIOR OF THE WORLD!”
(All from 1 John 4:7-19; esp. 9-10, 14)
So I am convinced this morning… If I want Christmas to be especially significant and meaningful for me this year, I need to look “BEYOND THE MANGER TO THE CROSS … AND EVEN BEYOND THAT!” I’m going to do it! – How about you?
Coffee With The Lord 