We see it everywhere this time of year. Depicted on Christmas cards. Acted out in Christmas plays. Painted on tree ornaments. Displayed as gracious figurines on mantles and entry tables. And every time we see the Christmas scene it is moving. We don’t always slow down to think about it. But even those who have no personal relationship with the Christ know the story and it is endearing: There was no room for Joseph and Mary in the Inn. They had to sleep in a stable. And it was there that Jesus was born and placed in a manger after being wrapped in swaddling clothes. The star above casts a beautiful glow over the heavenly scene which wise men used as a guide to find their long awaited and promised Savior. It’s a beautiful thing. And I love that it has made its way into the celebration of Christmas and now represents the meaning of the season.

The birth of Jesus that starry night so long ago brought Joy to the World. And I’m sure that God was watching each second unfold with much love and joy and pride as any father would. But while God was watching the real nativity taking place in Bethlehem that precious night I wonder what all He must have seen. He may have seen concern on the faces of Mary and Joseph knowing that they were about to deliver, alone with no doctor, the prophesied King into a stable with no baby linens and no bed. I’m sure that God rejoiced at seeing His Son become the Son of Man and saw the tears of joy as they streamed down the face of the virgin mother. God probably also saw the first worship of the newly born King when the wise men arrived. Wow, to have been one of the first to worship Him! What an honor and what a sight to behold. I’m sure God saw it all and was weeping and rejoicing with each one.

Yes, the Nativity scene is one of joy and celebration. The beauty of Him coming to earth overrides the sadness of the difficult circumstances. Rightfully so. We focus on the birth—the coming of the Savior who had been promised. Immanuel—God with us. We sing about it. The First Noel. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright. When we see the manger scene, this is what we see. What we think of. What we feel. Joy to the World, the Lord has come. Let earth receive her King. But I can’t help but wonder, what else did God see that glorious night. He may have been seeing another picture entirely. While the world began to rejoice that their Savior had come, I wonder if God was also envisioning the purpose of His Son being earth-born. I wonder if above that stable He also envisioned His newborn Son’s brutal, sacrificial death. After all, Jesus of Nazareth was the only person ever to have been born with the sole purpose of dying. While all of humanity—every person born in the whole world—from every country and every continent was born with the purpose to live, He was the only person born with the intended purpose of death.  Now I never look at the Nativity in the same way. It was a beautiful moment when Jesus became human. And I’m so grateful for Immanuel—God with us. I’m so grateful that He came. But I don’t know that I’ll ever see the manger without now also seeing the cross.

This new view of the Nativity has brought a new gift to me this Christmas. I have often wondered why I was born. What is my purpose? But now, with the simple understanding that Jesus was born to DIE makes it imminently clear that I was born to LIVE. My gift this Christmas is the understanding of my purpose in its simplest form. Christ’s fundamental purpose was to die. Mine is to live.  Christ’s earthly title did not give Him purpose. He was not born unto man, given the title as Savior and then realized He needed to die. His immediate purpose for being born was to die. I have come to realize that my titles don’t give me purpose either. My purpose gives me a title. Saved.

Did you know that you were born to live? You have purpose too. You are invaluable. No one can live your life except for you. And no one can accept Jesus as Savior for you. Have you fulfilled your purpose? If you don’t feel alive right now or if you don’t know that you will live forever, this is your moment. Say these words, “Jesus, Thank you for coming to earth and thank you for dying for me so I can live. I receive you as my personal Savior. I want to fulfill my purpose. I want to LIVE, forever.”

What an awesome thing to know this Christmas that you are doing exactly what you were purposed for, to LIVE on this earth for such a time as this, and then to continue your life with God forever.

“For to me, to live is Christ….”

Philippians 1:21a

Also see:

Romans 8:11

1 Corinthians 8:6

1 John 3:16

Mary Beth is passionate about souls, worship and the arts. In recent years she formed and directed the Media Department at Gateway Church and began the publication of Gateway’s ladies magazine, Studio G. Mary Beth is married to Thomas Miller who is the worship pastor of Gateway Church where she enjoys ministering along side him and raising up worshipers with a heart after God. They are grateful parents of their promised miracle child, Harrison, who recently turned five. Outside of her part-time ministry life, Mary Beth spends most of her time being a mom and wife and using her love of creativity to celebrate holidays and birthdays with family and friends.

Mary Beth Miller