Twas The Write Before Christmas: Day 3

Brimming in Scarlet

Photo source: mtsofan

The day is dark, not simply from clouds covering the light of the sun, but from the cloud of sin covering the light of the Son of God.  Brimming in scarlet, the One who became man, the Word who dwelt among us, weary, broken, emptied, poured out, freely giving His life.  He whispers, "it is finished", and breathes his last.  Man tried to defeat him, but His was a death only He could give...and only He could conquer. 

The sweet cries of a newborn babe, wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger, the ones chosen to be his earthly parents smiling and staring in awe of the miracle before them.  It's the picture of Christmas we see and marvel at...and yet it stands in grave contrast to the picture of the newborn babe grown into a man, hanging from nails piercing his hands while blood pours from the wounds upon his broken body.  We love to see the picture of that precious newborn babe...but we cringe and hide and run from the one of the man upon a cross.

And yet, I am the one brimming in scarlet, the weight of my transgressions holding me back from joy and peace and life.  Without the picture of the cross, the picture of the babe is meaningless.  As I stare at the nativity scene laid out carefully in our home, I can't help seeing the cross...because I know that Christmas is nothing without Easter and that the hope of Christmas lies in the very color of the decorations we cover our homes with.

 
 Linking up with Bigger Picture Blogs for this year's Twas The Write Before Christmas.  Check out this year's prompts here and join in the fun!