The great exchange…

 The great Exchange…a crown for a cross….

“Definition of exchange (Entry 1 of 2)

: the act of giving or taking one thing in return for another 

: the act or process of substituting one thing for another

: reciprocal giving and receiving

: something offered, given, or received in an exchange

Definition of exchange (Entry 2 of 2)

: to part with, give, or transfer in consideration of something received as an equivalent

: to give and receive reciprocally”

Merriam Webster…

My first nativity set was/is an Avon white porcelain one…

I bartered/ exchanged work for it during some very lean years for our family and I couldn’t afford each piece and only a few pieces came out each year for several years… so I bartered with the Avon lady to do some sewing/ knitting for her family for each piece…I exchanged my skills for each piece of that nativity each year until I had a complete set. I still put it up each year, remembering those lean times, those exchanges…now I have added little nativity sets from places I have traveled since…each with fond memories.  But the first, with it’s yearly exchanges/sacrifices, remains my favorite.( I now see it is sold on eBay as a “vintage” set now)

Christmas time can be for many a time of exchanges, maybe visiting or having company, giving/receiving of gifts, cookie exchanges, potentially spending time with others, taking time to reflect…maybe exchanging good memories for not so good ones…serving others, giving of ourselves to others, sacrifice….and for some it may be a time that brings heartache as well…

When I think of Jesus leaving the heavenly realm, the creator of the universe coming be a man born in a smelly, bug  infested stable…that is a huge exchange…but he brought joy to those new parents, the shepherds who sought him because of the angelic announcement…he was a fulfillment of what His Word proclaimed…He was the Word…but he exchanged his place for all mankind’s sake, yours and mine…he exchanged the crown for a cradle and later for the cross…so that we might exchange our temporal for eternal through faith in him…we who lived in darkness exchanging it for light…

He ministered to those around him, teaching, admonishing…walking among the people in human form…enduring the cross , taking on our sin  so that we could be clothed in righteousness…exchanges through it all…

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  

And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Colossians 1:15-20

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21 

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

2 Corinthians 8:9

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions —it is by grace you have been saved.

Ephesians 2:4-5 

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:22-24

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

Ephesians 5:8

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand —with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

1 Peter 3:18,22 

He exchanged riches unfathomable  for earthly poverty….the Creator to live among the created…the greatest exchange in all time…

A crown for a cross to return to the right hand of God the Father...that we all might live through faith …he took our sin for his forgiveness…

“he was born to die…a sacrifice for the sins of humanity” ( David Jeremiah)…

what a great exchange…

Thank YOU…..

So as we exchange gifts , cookies, fellowship here today and throughout this season…I challenge each of us to remember the “reason for the season”…

the greatest exchange…

“Christmas is not just about ugly sweaters, big meals, and beautiful gifts. It is not even really about a baby in a manger. It is about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the prophesied descendent of Abraham and David who will reign forever in Heaven. He offered Himself as breath and living water for those who are spiritually dead, who seek everlasting life.” A quote from Bethany Verrett

Blessings…