Advent Day 14 – The Fullness of God
“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 1:19-20
We sometimes sentimentalize the Christmas narrative of Christ’s birth to the point that we lose sight of the bigger picture. The story of Christmas is not just the emotional and even heart-rending account of the difficulty and struggle that Mary and Joseph experienced in giving birth to Jesus.
This is the story of the incarnation of God. As Colossians reminds us, “All the fullness of God indwelled Jesus bodily.” All. Of. God. That is astonishing on its face.
It raises many questions that do not have simple answers, as theologians through the centuries have strained to explain this truth. But it stands complete in Colossians 1:19. God was in Christ. When we look at the baby in the manger, we are seeing the God Who had never before been seen. Our invisible Creator revealed Himself there.
But this was not simply the Creator Who came to walk alongside us. This was the Divine One, the Holy One, Who would thirty-three years later allow Himself to be crucified on a cruel cross for our salvation and redemption: “through Him to reconcile to Himself all things….”
God was on a rescue mission. A mission to redeem. He did not send an emissary, or a soldier, or a representative to do this important work of “making peace by the blood of His cross.” He did not send an angel, or a prophet, or even Moses.
He came in person.
Merry Christmas!
DO YOU HAVE PEACE WITH GOD?
Our peace comes as we access, by faith, the redeeming work of Jesus Christ on the cross. If you do not know peace with God, you can have it now! It will be the greatest gift you will ever receive.
Prayer: “Dear God in heaven, how I thank You that You came to earth… for me. You shed Your own blood to allow reconciliation to take place. Forgive me for living alienated from You. Forgive my many sins. Cleanse me, I pray, through the blood of Jesus shed for my justification and salvation. I turn from my own selfish ways and disobedience and come humbly to You asking for Your Presence to indwell me and make me new. Through Jesus Christ, the only begotten One, I pray.”
If you pray this prayer, please let us know. We’d like to help you grow in your newfound faith!
