Because He Lives

This city-scape is a picturesque reminder of the white Christmas many sing about at this time of year. In some parts of the country this year, the temperatures are approaching 70 degrees--there won't be any snow.

The reality is that JESUS probably wasn't born in Winter, that His arrival in Bethlehem on that long-ago morning was sometime in Autumn. But no matter when we celebrate His birth, the fact remains that it was one of the two most significant events in history.

We've heard the reference to 'the dash,' the span between the time of ones birth and ones death. The dash represents the life lived by the individual. In the case of Jesus, His birth is the first event of import. Certainly, His death is of monumental significance to everyone who's lived on Planet Earth.

But the second of the two most significant events in history, the one at the opposite side of His birth is different for Jesus than it is for the rest of humankind. At the end of His dash is His resurrection.

The Holy Child who was placed in a manger in Bethlehem was indeed born to redeem man from sin; He indeed died to bear the punishment man deserves for sin, but He also arose from the grave to show us that death is not final for anyone.

JESUS, Emmanuel, God Incarnate has always been and He always will be. He is the fulfillment of the words God spoke to the serpent in the Garden of Eden: "...you shall bruise His heel, but He shall crush your head."

The wicked one thought he had defeated the purpose of God which was to redeem fallen man from destruction. Christ was crucified and placed in a sealed tomb. The Holy One's Redeemer was disposed of and man would remain in his sin.

But, on the third day, JESUS arose! The stone was rolled away and HE emerged victorious over death, hell and the grave! Although His heel had been bruised, the head of God's ancient foe had been crushed, for the entire onslaught of hell could not hold the LORD in the grave!

This Christmas morning, whether a blanket of white covers the ground or whether signs of Spring dot the landscape, be mindful of the reason for the celebration of this day--the dash after the date of Christ's birth is followed not by the date of His death but of His resurrection!

Because HE lives, so shall you.