From The Manger To The Cross… Hello weekend readers. After all the wonderful Christmas food, fun, gifts and a wonderful Christmas Eve church service, we’re pooped out, and yet filled with the joy of the season. In a few days Al and I are taking out the Mini-Lite trailers and heading to the Turquoise Valley by Bisbee. It’s been a long time since we’ve been in Bisbee and we’re excited to get there again. Bisbee was a mining town, but today it is a hub of all kinds of crafts. And that got me musing on one place in Old Town Albuquerque, New Mexico! Why? Read on…

There is a family of long carvers who make beautiful things out of wood. It started first with the famous Santero Ben Ortega Sr whose family has a long history of carving nativities. Among his works are some unique manger scenes, unlike most you’ll find elsewhere. Now his daughter, Louise Ortega is stepping in since he has passed away. Her father taught her all that she would need to keep it going and just like dad, she is carving nativities from native woods like cottonwood, pinon, juniper, and aspen.

Each of these pieces, when looked at head-on, appear to be a typical scene of Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, and a few other characters you usually see. But as you begin to turn the manger scenes, each carved from a single block of wood, the uniqueness is revealed. Just around the corner, behind the manger scene, is a carving of the cross where that same baby, once He grew into a man, was crucified for our sins. But wait, there is more about this…

There is a beautiful symbolism in how that reflects on the faith of this family as well as how it reflects the reality of what Isaiah prophesied many years ago. For Louise, well here is what she says about this: “It means for me that I am covered with the love of Jesus–from the manger to the cross and I know Jesus is with me here on earth and then again I will be with Jesus in heaven forever!” Wow, such faith and the JOY she has in it!

While the manger and the story of Christmas create a heartwarming picture of God’s love for all of us, we can take on the words from Louise: “It is only meaningful in light of what was to come.” The purpose of the Christ child was to grow into a man who lived a perfect life and died on the cross to pay for the sins of the world. Perhaps that sounds a bit harsh at the beautiful time of Christmas, but that’s the real story folks. No amount of celebration at Christmas time can be complete unless we get the full story of why God sent his Son to us.

Back to Isaiah, we hear the words that seem to crush our Christmas festivities, but read this again and realize how important the GIFT Jesus gave to us. I like the way The Passion Translation says in Isaiah 53:5: “But it was because of our rebellious deeds that he was pierced and because of our sins that he was crushed. He endured the punishment that made us completely whole, and in his wounding we found our healing.”

As you start to take down your Christmas decorations, etc., stop for a moment and meditate on the Nativity and remember that just around the corner is the Cross. Jesus was pierced and crushed for our sins, and through the punishment he took on our behalf we now can have peace with God. It’s not a “downer” on Christmas, it is a glorious completed gift that God arranged for each and every one of us. But many don’t believe that, so perhaps we need to get out there and let them know about a Savior who loves everyone, even if they don’t believe in him? Yep, that’s our task to share the good news of the Gospel at Christmas, at Easter and all the days we have. Let’s join the faith of Louise Ortega and spread the good news to all…maybe we could give them a carved Nativity? AMEN.