Yes, Virginia, it is Christmas time. It is a season, which began at the stores in October, in which we focus on many things: family, parties, and presents. But, the celebration of Christmas brings other thoughts as well. The Christmas season reminds us of a simpler picture, the baby in the manger. I was looking at a nativity scene at a friend’s house the other day. It was a silhouette piece of art with the feeding trough in the middle. As I looked at this piece, I was reminded of a passage of Scripture,
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29, HCSB).
That is not the usual Bible verse that we think about at Christmas. In fact, this incident took place about thirty years after the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus. To me, though, it brings the whole Christmas celebration into focus. You cannot think about the baby in the manger without thinking about the cross. Jesus Christ, truly God and truly man, entered into history with a unique mission, to save humanity from their sins. For those who repent of their sins and place their trust in Him, Jesus is the way that we can have personal relationship with God.
Yes, Virginia, it is Christmas time. Don’t forget about the family, the dinners, and the presents. But, there is something that is more important. In the midst of all of this, keep your eyes on the cross. Keep your focus on the Savior, because the Baby was truly the Sacrificial Lamb!
Mark Riser - Apologist 