In pondering the death and resurrection of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, . . .

. . . my thoughts led me to make the following observations:

At the birth of Christ, He was wrapped in swaddling cloths; at His death He was wrapped in Linen Cloths

At His birth He was laid in a manger; at His death He was laid in a tomb

At His birth He received gifts; at His death He received nails prints in His hands and feet

Not long after His birth His father lifted Him up in his arms and fled to Egypt for safety; not long after His death His heavenly Father lifted Him up from the grave and seated Him at His right hand in heaven with all authority

At His birth He was king of Israel; at His resurrection He became King of kings and Lord of lords

At His birth Jesus was the Lamb that would be slain to take “away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29); at His resurrection he was the Lion that slew sin, death and the Devil (Romans 6:9-10; Acts 2:24; Hebrews 2:14-15) – VICTORY! to the Lamb slain who is the Lion, Jesus Christ, and VICTORY to all who are in Him by true faith! (1 Corinthians 15:57)