Monday, December 24, 2007

Advent and the cross

Christmas is about Christ and his coming. God becoming flesh to take on himself a death that we as sinners were, and in ourselves are doomed to die. Jesus took that on himself at the cross that we might in exchange receive a new start in the new humanity in Jesus.

The cross. It should never be forgotten that it is through the cross that God accomplishes everything that is to be done, in the coming of his Son. And in Jesus, by faith, especially together we're to become part of the solution, as we live a cross-formed life in Jesus, a humanity like what he lived. But not by mere imitation, but by very participation through the Spirit, as by Jesus' atoning work we're taken up into this new way of living.

Jesus, and everything about his coming is somehow related to his cross and his death for us. It speaks God's word to and about everything. All is judged but also redeemed and saved through that death. Through this death alone comes our real life. Not in the world's terms of life, but in God's terms.

This is part of God's word to us this Christmas season: it's the word of the cross. God's gift to the world in his love, his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Do we see this season in terms and through the cross? Do we see everything through the lens of the cross? And with that the resurrection. But resurrection means life out of death, accomplished for us and for the world by Jesus.

What might you like to add or say here?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

may we celebrate the Immanuel, God with us, every day that we live.

Jesus is Lord

Ted M. Gossard said...

Nancy,
Yes. I think special days of doing so are good, even as we set aside a special day to gather. But yes, this needs to be and actually is, even if to our poverty we fail to see it, at the center of our existence, and in that is joy.

Anonymous said...

have a very joyful Christmas day!

Ted M. Gossard said...

Amen. Same to you, Nancy.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Amen. Same to you, Nancy.

Craver Vii said...

Hey Smiley!

Merry Christmas to you and Deb. May the Lord increase the effectiveness of your ministry and use you in a mighty way this coming year to proclaim His good news. It is my prayer that you see some (more) of the fruit of your labor.

Shalom.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Craver,
Same to you and Mrs. Craver and family. And I pray the same for you. Thank, brother.