Six humans are mentioned by name in the Biblical account of Jesus’s birth, Women of Christmas: Elizabeth and Mary, Men of Christmas: Zechariah and Joseph, and Prophets of Christmas: Simeon and Anna. Yet for all of their significance in Scripture and history, they were each quite insignificant in comparison; for there was but One…

Christ of Christmas

Bethlehem Ephrathah, a normally quiet town, one of the smallest among all the cities of Judah held more people than ever before, the influx of visitors there to register for the census ordered by Caesar Augustus. No hospitality in the hearts and homes of the townspeople longing for the usual quiet solitude the village was accustomed to, a young couple in a desperate situation withdrew and made their way to the outskirts of the town, for the time had come. The young mother knelt in a dimly lit cave among the limestone hills, clenching a piece of swaddling cloth between her teeth to suppress her screams as she brought forth her firstborn son…

And all the powers of darkness unleashed on the earth, as a battle waged for the Child’s life, for this was not just a bundled baby, He was a Swaddled Savior.

And in a wooden manger the Messiah was laid, covered in the blood and water of humanity; and later on a wooden cross His mangled body would hang as His Life-giving blood and water poured forth, the ransom for many.

And the Father sent the angels to light the night sky to herald his birth, but He commanded the angels stay as a darkness covered all the earth, the Savior suspended with the sin of the world upon His shoulders.

And the shepherds left their lambs to worship and to kneel down, but unknown to them, they bowed before the lamb slain from the foundation of the world, a little one who knew the Good Shepherd gives His life for His sheep.

And the mother closely watched the gentle babe, as a happy tear escaped her eye, but all too soon she’d watch her son be cruelly crucified.

And Redemption’s plan, in the body of a newborn, lay quietly sleeping in an animal’s feeding trough, and later the fulfillment of Redemption’s fulfillment, in the body of a man, would lay dead in a tomb.

And as the eerie fangs of evil and darkness sank into humanity and the enemy rejoiced in fallacious triumph, the angels again had a message to bring, “He is not here: for He is risen, as He said”.

Jesus: born to die. Died to rise. Rose to Return. Returning to reign. Forever.

Christ of Christmas; Christ of the Cross.

Written by Ashley Fountain 12/24/20