The First Christmas Card

Readings:
Isaiah 53

Focus:
Isaiah 53:5a:"But he was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities...."
Isaiah 53:8a:"He was arrested and sentenced and taken away, and who gave a thought to his fate...?"

My husband Jim preached on this passage this morning, and called his sermon "The First Christmas Card." He discussed how Isaiah announced, centuries before Jesus was born, exactly what Jesus would come to earth to do.

I have reflected on this passage this evening, and about Christmas cards. So often our cards tell about wonderful winter scenes, about happy family occasions, about highlights of the past year, and about hopes for the coming year. But who has given a thought to Jesus?

Jesus came to earth in order to be pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities. In the midst of the coming Christmas cheer, we must remember to take time to reflect on the Jesus of Isaiah 53, by whose wounds we are healed.