On our drive through our country roads this week we saw the sign,

Live nativity December 22

My mind went back to the last one I saw years ago.  There was the sweet little baby Jesus lying in the manger bed, wrapped in soft white cloth while His mother Mary, dressed in blue sat smiling down on her sleeping child.  Joseph stood protectively alongside while little sheep were baa-ing and cows were mooing in their stalls only feet away from the manger scene.  Little girl angels stood above in the barn loft, their tilted halos shimmering from the gold garland from which they were crafted. It all seemed pristine and perfect.

But at that nativity we didn’t get a picture of what the scene of this baby’s life would look like in thirty years.  Now His garments are stripped from Him in a mocking. cruel fashion.  No adoring glances were given by those nearby, only daggers of hate and scorn.  The swaddling cloth at His birth is exchanged for a purple robe and a blood-stained cross on which He was hung.

Cruel.

Bloody.  But also perfect.

Perfect love.

This was the reason He came.  He came to die. It was the only answer for our sins to be forgiven.  Perfect blood had to be shed and He came to die in our place.

People lined up to stand and stare at the scene at that live nativity I attended.  It was the Story of stories come to life.  A baby born of a virgin and announced by angels. Everyone loves a story of a baby’s birth, but who will follow Him to the cross?  The crowd was very thin.  Oh friends, let’s not lose sight of the fact that the purpose of His birth was so He could die for broken sinners like you and me. That is why we have Christmas.

The following video is about three wonderful results of pondering why He came.

What has brought you peace instead of chaos this Christmas?  If you can’t find peace, please watch the other two videos in this series.  I pray it will encourage you!

Merry Peaceful Christmas!