Cradle To A Cross...Because of Bethlehem

From a child in a cradle to a king upon a cross
He knew the road was leading him to pay a crimson cost
And when no other arms could carry the weight of all our sin
He took the fall and it happened all because of Bethlehem 
 
Have you ever noticed that when it comes to the gospel, we tend to compartmentalize different parts of the greatest story ever told? At Easter, we focus on the death and resurrection of Jesus. When we lose a loved one, we focus on the promise of heaven. And of course, at Christmas, we focus on the birth and arrival of our Savior. But what if this Christmas we considered how every part of the story points back to that humble scene in Bethlehem? 
            
To fully soak in the beauty of this blessed Christmas season, we must consider the rest of this life-changing story was set in motion all because of Bethlehem. Our God sent His one and only son, Jesus, who willingly traded the splendor and perfection of heaven for a broken and imperfect world. He did this knowing that His son would walk a road that led to death on a cross to pay the price for the sins of the world.
 
You were carried by a manger and just thirty-three years later
By a humble cross made from nails and wood
And the tears fill up my eyes, You didn’t have to give your life
Oh, but then the story wouldn’t be as good
 
Because of Bethlehem, we have a Savior who laid down His life for our forgiveness. Because of Bethlehem, we can receive a mercy we don’t deserve and a grace we could never earn. This Christmas, consider not just the birth of Christ, but also the road that our Savior walked from a cradle to a cross. Let your heart be flooded by the gratitude that comes from knowing your sins have been forgiven and your wrongs have been erased. God sent His only son to take your place. Merry Christmas! 

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