I've been enjoying cuddle and play time with my youngest lately and at the same time contemplating two songs that were often sung at the mountain church where I grew up: “When He was on the Cross, I was on His Mind” by Ronnie Hinson & Mike Payne and “What a Day Was That First Christmas” (not sure who it's by).
A Baby in a Manger
I can understand the joys Mary must have felt mothering a beautiful son with a winsome smile and a giggle to melt your heart. Cherishing his first step, his first tooth, his first word… savoring each baby kiss and cuddle. I look at my little son and wonder what kind of things God has in store for his future. Though Mary knew that her son was God, and would be the King to “save his people Israel” from their sins, she had no idea, could not have known how that would play out. I can only imagine what joy she found in her Christ child and what musings she must have had about her little son's future. At Christmas we celebrate the birth of our Savior; but His birth would not hold the joy it does for us were it not for His death and resurrection.
A Savior for the World
When he was on the cross, I was on His mind. Though I suspect that He knew from day one in the manger what He was here to do, and grew up thinking of all the souls (including yours and mine) that depended on His fulfilling His Father's plan. While Mary was contemplating His future, He was contemplating mine. My eternal future. I am SO unworthy of such mercy, love, and joy… yet SO very thankful for my God who is my Joy, my King, and my Savior!
Songs
Below are the Lyrics to both songs and a YouTube video of the song for you to enjoy.
What a Day Was That First Christmas
On that first Christmas morning Mary held her newborn lamb.
And as mothers do she unwrapped Him to check out tiny feet and hands.
That little hand curled 'round her finger, and I wonder did she see
the day it would be nailed to a tree as He dies on Calvary?
She softly sings her lullaby and waits for Him to coo.
Does she know those lips will one day cry “Fathers forgive, they know not what they do”?
As she feeds her babe, does she realize she's holding the bread of life?
As she rocks Him to sleep does she know He's the Rock of Ages that will stand through time?
What a day was that first Christmas! What a gift to this old world!
All the glory of the Father in a manger lays unfurled.
Stars go on parade, while angels sing 'cause a young virgin girl holds Heaven's King.
What a day was that first Christmas when redemptions plan was born!
When He Was On the Cross, I Was On His Mind
There's no one great among us,
We're nothing on our own
We make mistakes we often slip,
Just common flesh and bones
I know I'll prove just what I say,
I’m of a special kind
When He was on the cross,
I was on His mind.
A look of love was on His face
And the thorns on His head
The blood that stained His scarlet robe
It stained it a crimson red
I know His eyes were on the crowd that day,
Yet He looked ahead in time
When He was on the cross,
I was on His mind.
He knew me, yet He loved me
He whose glory makes the heavens shine.
Unworthy of such mercy.
When He was on the cross,
I was on His mind.
When He was on the cross,
I was on His mind.
Jane says
The truth of how the Christmas story and the Easter story are so intertwined has been heavy on my heart for a year or more now. This past Easter, my dad built me a small wooden cross out of logs, which the kids and I decorated to look like a Christmas tree — evergreen garland, and pointed red bulbs symbolizing blood drops. Now at Christmas, we have a tree decorated in Easter colors — white tree, purple ornaments. I am trying to instill an understanding in my children that you can’t have one without the other — that Easter couldn’t have happened without the birth of a Savior, but His birth would have been pointless if He wouldn’t have died for our redemption. Born to die — beautiful thoughts that bring me to tears every time! May you and your family have an amazing Christmas!!