Day 13 - The Lyrics of Christmas

His Bitter Cross 

Trace we the Babe,  

Who hath retrieved our loss 

From His poor manger  

To His bitter cross 

~from “Christians Awake” 

The incarnation of Jesus Christ happened for a very specific purpose. It was a rescue mission for mankind. Jesus was born for the purpose of dying a cruel death on a Roman cross.  

Because of His great love, Jesus came to die. 

At Christmastime, we tend to focus on the cute little Baby wrapped snugly in swaddling clothes and lying in the manger. We imagine Mary and Joseph serenely smiling at one another, illuminated by the warm glow of His halo. It’s all very picturesque.  

But make no mistake, the shadow of “His bitter cross” was cast over “His poor manger.” Jesus came for a purpose: to save those who could not save themselves, by sacrificing His very life.