December 11th

Daily Reading

Isaiah 50:6

I offered my back to those who beat me
and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard.
I did not hide my face
from mockery and spitting.

Matthew 26:67

Then they began to spit in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him…

Isaiah 53:12

I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier,
because he exposed himself to death.
He was counted among the rebels.
He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.

Matthew 27:38

Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

(Readings taken from Bible Gateway, https://www.biblegateway.com/ New Living Translation)

Away in a Manger

At Christmas we celebrate the arrival of baby Jesus – God in flesh comes to rescue the world.

As we read the scriptures, it is impossible to separate the story of Christmas: Christ’s birth, from the story of Easter: Christ’s death. The prophecies of King Jesus relentlessly point us to the sobering reality of his existence. We sing:

“Away in a manger

No crib for a bed

The little Lord Jesus

Lay down his sweet head…

Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay

Close by me forever

And love me I pray…”

I wonder, has our approach to Christmas been subtly shaped by a theology of popularized Christmas carols? When I consider the readings today, I am confronted by the harsh reality of Jesus’ time on Earth. He is not simply a meek and mild baby, gently sleeping in a manger. That ‘sweet head’ is anointed with a crown of thorns. That baby grows up to become a man who is struck, spat upon, and crucified with criminals.

I love Christmas!

I love the celebrations and gifts and good cheer. But I don’t want to forget the inseparable nature of Christ’s birth and death. The gravity of the weight this baby came to carry. As we celebrate, may we be reminded of both the baby Jesus and the beaten Jesus. The baby in a manger and a God no longer in the tomb. May our approach to Advent and our celebration of Christmas continue to be shaped by Jesus’ whole life. His birth, death, and resurrection.

Jesus the Messiah.