In 1864, Emily Elliott penned the words to a hymn that has since become dear to many, especially at Christmas time: “Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown when though camest to earth for me…Thou camest, O Lord, with the living word that should set they people free; But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn they bore thee to Calvary…” These words remind us of the “big picture” truths we celebrate at Christmas. Jesus laid aside his divine glory and came into our world with the specific purpose of being rejected and cruelly executed on a cross—and he did it for me, and for you.
The Christmas season invites us to ponder the manger and the wonder of the eternal God made flesh in the infant Jesus; but the manger lies in that shadow of the cross. If becoming human flesh is an act of supreme humility and love, allowing himself to be judged and unjustly sentenced to death by those whose very lives he holds in his hands is even more amazing.
Why did God do such a thing? He did it to take our sin upon himself, so that he need not judge us as our sins deserve (Ps. 103:10)! The joy of Christmas is the same as the joy of Easter; we are forgiven! He has made a way to remove our sins from us as far as the east is from the west (Ps. 103:12)!
This Christmas season, may our sense of wonder be stirred again by God’s amazing gift.
Pastor Jon for the Enright House