The Shepherd became the Lamb to redeem mankind from sin. That’s the story of Christmas

“The Lord is my shepherd …” Psalm 23

Christmas would never have happened if the Shepherd hadn’t been willing to become the Lamb.

The 23^rd Psalm has enabled all of us to fall in love with the shepherd who leads us along quiet waters to repose in verdant green pastures …

We feel his protection and provision on this walk, even in the presence of our staunchest enemies.

But while He leads us, his is not a journey of pleasure… He was born to die. He was to carry not only us, but the sins of the whole world and trade his earthly life for sin’s eradication. There has never been another mission of mercy to match this one!

Christmas is to bring us great joy even as we contemplate that we are celebrating the beginning of that journey for Jesus. Even his mother had to adapt to the angel’s message that “you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 NIV

 So He came and that’s what Christmas celebrates. Yet Christmas is just the opening of this great epoch of God taking on human flesh, living as a man and then dying as both God and man.

This week, let the joy and awe of that heavenly rescue fill you with gratitude as well as unspeakable joy. Just remember the sequence … first the Nativity, then the cross and then the resurrection! May you a merry and thoughtful Christmas (and a joyous Easter as you celebrate the successful completion of the story.)

I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me

will no longer remain in the dark.” John 12:46 NLT