Cribs and crosses

Another stall in Basel's Barfüsserplatz Weinachtsmarkt.

Day 4: "Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)

You tend to see a lot more nativity scenes than crucifixion scenes around this time of year. We focus more on the crib that held the baby rather than the cross that hung the man who took our place at Calvary. Babies grow at an alarming rate. They don't stay little for long. Neither did Jesus. At advent we look forward to his coming not because it's a wondrous story, but also for the reason he came: to save us from our sin.