The Cradle, The Cross, and Joy to The World

Long ago, Martin Luther said that we’ve lost the point of Christmas if we don’t see the shadow of the cross falling over the manger.

Adam Hamilton says in a DVD lesson series that our church is studying this month that “Christmas and Calvary go hand-in-hand.”  Adam invited us to see the Crucifixion through the eyes of his mother.

Things got serious real fast.  Even somber.  And for some, it was even a blinking-back-tears time.

Rightly so.   “Preach Christ crucified” says 1st Corinthians 1:23.  It doesn’t say we’re to preach and teach and talk and sing just about a Jewish baby born in a manger.  That baby grew up.

“Preach Christ crucified.”

This is serious stuff.

Makes me thankful that the cross wasn’t the end of it all, but only the beginning of a new chapter called Resurrection.

Like we sing in Joy to The World, 

No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make
His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found!

Where today will you notice His blessings flow?

What actions will you take today to No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground?

There’s still work to do be done.  God is still in business.  Are you and I in business with God?