This year our church wonderfully celebrated Christmas by standing an illuminated cross in a fir tree in front of the building. Combining these two symbols beautifully illustrated the bittersweet nature of the incarnation as even the birth of Jesus Christ pointed to his sacrificial death. It’s mind blowing to think that the Son of God would be born as a baby, subject himself to the confinement of tight swaddling bands and, of course, be laid in a feeding trough. Yet, this was the sign given to the shepherds and was just the beginning of his humble sacrifice.
Cut off
Mary and Joseph carefully did everything the law required and Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day as his entry into the Old Testament covenant people of God (Luke 2:21). Since the announcement by the angels this is the first time we hear his name. ‘Jesus’, the name given at his circumcision, confirmed his vocation as Saviour.
Commentators see this act of circumcision when Jesus’ body was cut and his blood shed by human hands prefiguring the Cross for then he would be ‘cut off from the land of the living’, bearing the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:8). So, it’s appropriate to light up a cross in our Christmas tree, because by taking the penalty for our sins upon himself Jesus has delivered us from the curse of the law. ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’ (Deuteronomy 21:23, Galatians 3:13).
The Eighth Day
But the Cross is empty! For the eighth day, the day of his circumcision, is significant. If seven represents the completion of the days of creation, then the eighth day speaks of a new beginning. His resurrection was on the first day of the week, also the eighth. Likewise the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was on the first day of the week, also the eighth. This inaugurated a spiritual circumcision ‘made without hands’ of the hearts of believers from all nations, signifying the entrance into the New Testament people of God (Colossians 2:12).
Joy to the World
Christmas really is good news of great joy as the angels proclaimed to the shepherds. It was for the joy set before Jesus that he would endure the Cross, despising the shame, (Hebrews 12:2) and he wants to share his joy with us (John 17:13).
As we enter 2026, let’s rejoice in the gift of his love, sins forgiven, joy replacing fear and peace in a world of conflict and confusion, because we believe the promise of his return and even now trust in his sovereign rule. Let’s be part of his purpose that one day all of creation will sing his praise and blessings will flow as far as the curse is found.
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