Christmas Communion

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As a church family, we were blessed yet again by sharing the Lord’s Table this morning at church.  What I thought was perhaps the most moving part was that as we celebrate Christmas, we look forward to Good Friday and Easter.  I always find it interesting that everyone thought that the Messiah was coming to earth to establish His earthly Kingdom.  The Israelites certainly thought so.  They were so ready for a conquering Messiah that they were actively looking for that Messiah to come and lead them in freedom from the oppressive Romans.  They didn’t realize that their true oppression was from sin.  Even Satan’s temptations were directed at Christ establishing his Kingdom.

So when I look at that night in Bethlehem, I can’t help but wonder if the shepherds, wise men, and even Mary and Joseph were excited about the birth for the wrong reasons.  They heard a message about peace on earth, but did they understand what peace it was that Christ was to bring?  Had they connected Isaiah 53 to the baby in the manger?

Here’s what is certain though, when the Father sent His Son, He did so knowing that the cross was the goal of Christ’s time on earth.  When the angels sang about peace on earth, they were singing about the peace that Jesus was to bring between God and man.  That peace was won through the sacrifice of His Body and Blood on the cross, and we must remember that as we celebrate His birth!  As you consider the cross, here is a hymn that we don’t sing nearly enough, but has such a powerful text.

Alas and Did My Savior Bleed?

Alas! and did my Saviour bleed, And did my Sovereign die! Would he devote that sacred head For such a worm as I!

Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned upon the tree! Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide, And shut his glories in, When Christ, the mighty Maker, died For man the creature's sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face While his dear cross appears; Dissolve my heart in thankfulness, And melt mine eyes in tears.

But drops of grief can ne'er repay The debt of love I owe; Here, Lord, I give myself away, 'Tis all that I can do.