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The Christ-Child: Born to Die by Esther Swyer
Colossians 1:15-20; Matthew 1:18-25
When we think of the phrase – “the Christ-Child”- what is the first thing that comes to our mind? Shepherds, angels, the manger, wise men, the picture of Joseph and Mary as they watch all these visitors and wonder at the things that are happening? Do you suppose they were seeing much of what the future would hold for them and the Child? How much do you think Mary understood of the prophecies given her by the angel, by Elizabeth, and later by the man, Simeon in the temple, or of Anna, the prophetess? How much did they realize of the Child’s destiny – as a human being, through life and to the cross? Did they know He would die as their Saviour?
These
thoughts bring the questions home to us. How much do we understand
about who the Christ-Child really was? Do we think of all that awaits
Him as we see Him lying in that manger? Do we marvel at the plan and
sacrifice of God the Father in giving Him to us? Do we realize that
this holy event is not just about the birth of the “Baby Jesus” and the
singing of the angels, and our celebration of His birth, our cards sent
to one another, our gifts to each other, etc.? Do we realize just
what a great Gift He is to
us, and what He will have to go through in order to give us the greatest
gift of all – eternal life with Him in Heaven, free from sin, pain,
strife, etc.?
Do we really see Him for Who He is? Do we remember that this same Child
in the manger will be the Man on the cross – and the Man who will be
resurrected? Do we remember that this Child will one day be our
Saviour- that He is God Himself in human flesh and our Creator? Do we
remember that He is God’s Gift of love – and because of that He will
someday be our Judge? How do
we see this tiny baby in the manger? Do we really realize that He was
born to die? And for this
purpose He came.
about the author
Esther Swyer was born in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia. The eldest of eight children she married at twenty-one and promptly had six children. She became a Christian in October of 1958 at the age of twenty-five and was baptised in December of that year. She began teaching a Sunday School class of a dozen nine to ten year olds in 1961 or 1962 and has been teaching various age groups ever since.
Esther began teaching adults and leading Bible studies sometime in the seventies. She became involved in WMS in the late sixties and held various positions over the years, then in the early to mid-seventies she started serving on the Association Council. On top of all that she was involved for many years in ladies retreats serving as small groups director for around twenty years. Currently Esther is president of the WMS on the Association level, treasurer of her church, adult ladies class teacher, and is completing her third year as a church deacon.
Her first marriage ended after twenty-two years. She re-married thirteen years later in December 1988 and was widowed in June of 2000. She has eighteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Esther has just published a book about her spiritual journey.