Hello ,

In 1649, King Charles I of England stood on a scaffold facing execution. Monarchs are born to rule, not to die. Yet here was a king walking toward his death. History remembers it as the moment when the crown could no longer shield him.

But the story of Jesus turns that expectation on its head. Christ is the only King in history who was born for the purpose of dying.

The angel told Joseph before Jesus was even born, “You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). His very name—Yeshua—means “The Lord saves.” His destiny was embedded in His identity.

We celebrate His birth, but heaven anticipated His sacrifice. He entered the world not to escape death, but to confront it head-on. Jesus Himself said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

People saw a baby.

God saw a Lamb.

The shadow of the cross stretched over the manger. From the moment He cried His first earthly cry, His life was angled toward Calvary, where a different crowd would gather—not to worship His arrival, but to witness His sacrifice.

Many kings demand the lives of their subjects. Christ gave His life for His subjects.

This Christmas, while you honor the birth of the King, let your heart also honor the crown He wore for your freedom—the thorns that fulfilled the purpose for which He came. The manger revealed His humility; the cross revealed His love.

And because He came to die, we are now free to live. No wonder the angels welcome Christ's birth so long ago!

Here is a carol for today:

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Have a great day and God bless!

Pastor Mike / The Open Word