"The shadow of the cross looms over the manger. When you understand that, you understand Christmas." — John MacArthur
Without Christmas, there would be no Easter. Without the manger, there would be no cross. Without Christ's birth, there would be no calvary; therefore, there would be no hope of salvation. We must remember every Christmas the reason that Christ came to earth and was born in a manger—a feeding trough for animals. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, was incarnated to die in our place for our sins. This sobering thought should guide our celebration of Christmas, the celebration of Christ born to die.
