You know, newborns have the look of sheer innocence that can
melt a heart of stone. I’m sure baby Jesus was no exception. His little soul
was spotless, sinless, without fault. And never, not even once, did he blemish
his soul as he grew into a man.

 
That’s the reason why Pilate wanted to release him. Three times he
told the mob, “I find no fault in him” (John 18:38, 19:4,6). Jesus was not
just innocent of a criminal offense, he was innocent through and through!
So, when I read of his death, I don’t see a man on the cross. I see the look of
sheer innocence, the soul of a newborn Jesus, a soul that was as sinless as
the day he was born.

 
Why bring all these things to mind at such a cheery time of year?
Shouldn’t we be joyful? Yes! Let us rejoice because, with immeasurable love
and grace, God chose to send us his son, born of a woman (Matthew 1:23).
Let us rejoice that for now everyone is talking about him. But let us never
forget that the purpose of his beautiful birth…was his ugly death, and the
purpose of his ugly death…was a beautiful victory over death.

 
Everyone is talking about Jesus. There’s no better time to share with
others the beautiful, sheer innocence of his entire life. He still has what it
takes to melt a heart of stone!

 
Today’s Verse: “…you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like
silver or gold, from you aimless conduct received by tradition from your
fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish
and without spot” (1 Peter 18-19).

By Teresa Hampton