Here is a quick post. It has been marinating in the back of my mind for a while now. I was hoping for more time to edit and expand, but I wanted to get it out there while it was still Christmas season.

“For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”

Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’” Hebrews 10:1-7 ESV

 We are on the “tail end” on the Christmas Season. One thing that happens is it can be hard to be in awe with the story when we have heard it so many times. It comes around every year. It is also easy to just move on to the next thing and miss the big picture.

So often we think Jesus came to make us feel good, to do good things, to teach us to live a good life, and to love our neighbors. But there is oh so much more to the story. Right away we need to remember that this baby in the manger was born with the purpose of dying. Now we know we are all going to die one day even if we like to think we are the exception to the rule.

As a Christian for over twenty years, having pastored for 20 of those years (and preached twenty Christmas seasons) something struck me with awe this year. It happened a few weeks ago in the service as our Pastor was describing the manger scene. I know it was most likely a cave type area. But instead of being in a raised trough or crib-like bed Pastor Rick noted that some commentators believe this may have been more of a hole or indentation in the ground.

Unexpectedly a light went on in my mind and I suddenly saw that everything in that scene foreshadowed a similar scene that would take place about 30 years later. That scene is a grave and a burial. The same grave of the one whose birth we just celebrated. In the birth place of the Savior we see glimpses of His burial.

First, there were no accommodations in Bethlehem so they went to a manger, probably nothing more than a cave belonging to someone else and used to shelter livestock. Later, after Jesus died he was placed in a tomb belonging to someone else, Joseph of Arimathea. The tomb was nothing more than a cave, with indentations in the wall where the body was laid. Luke 2:7; 23:50

If you have ever seen a birth you know it is bloody, messy, and ugly. Fast forward to the burial of Jesus and there is a beaten, bloody, disfigured body being laid to rest. A body that had just been flogged, spat upon, crucified and pierced with a sword.

The newborn baby was wrapped in swaddling clothes and the just deceased Jesus would have been wrapped in burial cloths.

The primary person welcoming Jesus into the world was his mother Mary, accompanied by Joseph, whatever else was in the manger, and then the shepherds. The ones closest to him at his death and first to the grave were women, his disciples who were  made up of fishermen, tax collectors etc. Both events were accompanied by those that society considered the lowliest of status.

Sometime after his birth while he was still very young travelers from the middle east came to this child and presented gifts of value gold, frankincense and myrrh. At His death the burial clothes were traditionally prepared with similar spices. Luke 23:56

When these travelers, the magi first arrived they asked where is he who is born King of the Jews. Herod in his schemes to protect his throne used the same phrase. At His mockery of a trial He was called King of the Jews and Pilate placed on the crucifix a sign saying the King of the Jews. Matthew 2:2; 27:11, 29, 27

The birth of this king was missed by the crowds as wells as societies movers and shakers but was attended by angels and shepherds. The death of the king was also largely missed by the powers that be except to try and cover it up. Though later we see angels were present at the tomb.

Eventually the child left this setting and went to His (foster) fathers house. After His death Jesus rose and returned to His heavenly father’s house.

So there you have it. I do not want to make something out of nothing or see hidden messages behind every word, but I cannot help but notice the similarities between these two events, these two events that have changed the world forever. A birth and a death. Two opposite events. An event we have all had and another we will have. In between these events we are told to find our purpose in life. We are all told to decide what we want to be when we grow up. Why are we here besides biding our time between those two events?

For Jesus from the beginning, even before the actual birth took place, His purpose was clear. Jesus was born to die. And there is a purpose in His death. Scripture says;

We have all sinned and the wage of sin is death. Romans 3.

Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. Hebrews 9

There has only been one sinless one, whose shed blood would accomplish the forgiveness of our sin once for all. 2 Corinthians 5

A body was prepared for our Lord. He inhabited that body in all of its humanity, and experienced a very real death, a death He was prepared to endure. And because of that death and resurrection we can experience a new birth through His Spirit. The lyrics to Hark the Herald Angels Sing proclaim it clearly.

Hark the herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful, all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim: “Christ is born in Bethlehem”
Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ by highest heav’n adored Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come Offspring of a Virgin’s womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King!”

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings Ris’n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King!”