Page 18 - January 2019 Newsletter

The Cross
From the cradle to the cross, Jesus lived the life we cannot live. Jesus was tempted, just as we are, and yet He nev-
er sinned. He lived every minute of His life in accordance with the will of the one who sent Him—God His Father—
and then Jesus willingly and purposefully went to the cross. He took upon Himself our sins and paid the price of re-
deeming us with His own blood. In the cross of Jesus, we see the symbol of our faith, the sorrow of our sins and the
sacrifice of our Savior.

The Crown
The cross was not the end --- it was only the beginning! At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in
heaven, and things in the earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ
is Lord. The Crown shows what is going to come.

The crown represents the Lord’s rule and reign as King throughout all eternity and it represents the glory he re-
ceived by completing the mission for which God sent Him. I think the crown represents who Jesus is! He is holy,
perfect and just, and from Him flows love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and
self-control.

Jesus was the central theme of that first Christmas. The star, the song, the gifts, the joy, the hope, the excitement-
all were because of Him. This is God’s gift of Christmas, and every day:

the cradle, His Son;
the cross, His life;
the crown, His coming Kingdom.

But…a gift, to be complete, must be received! Will you receive it?