At Christmas time, we often hear only one part of the story of Jesus—His birth. But there is more to the story than that. The cradle is one of three symbols of Jesus Christ’s life and ministry here on this earth. The cradle or manger where Jesus slept reminds us that God became a man. Jesus Christ was no ordinary human. He was born in a miraculous way—conceived by the Holy Spirit in the Blessed Virgin Mary.  

But that was not enough. Jesus had to go from the cradle to the cross, the second symbol of Christmas. The Bible clearly states the cross was the reason Jesus came to earth. On Good Friday we remember the words of Philippians 2:9, which say that Jesus “humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.”  The Bible teaches that on the cross God the Son voluntarily took upon Himself all the sins of the world. To think that every sin we have ever committed, every evil act and thought was laid on Jesus.

Then there’s the third symbol—the crown. The Bible says three days after His death, Jesus stepped out of the grave, and that’s what Easter is all about. Jesus is alive! He’s glorified in heaven right now. He’s God the Son with all the power in heaven and on earth, and He indwells those who have received Him as Lord and Savior. What a reason to celebrate Christmas! Let’s praise God for His gift to us, the Christ of the cradle, the cross, and the crown.  Merry Christmas!        

This is Luis Palau.