Scriptural Reference:
"He is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation. For. . . all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross"
Colossians 1:15-20 (NIV)

Reflection:
It's Christmas and the usual trappings are out for all to see and enjoy. The manger is nicely set up at most Churches. With the Magi arriving several years earlier than they did. The animals all set out in a very non typical eastern manger. But putting all that aside. What or who do you worship when you think about Christmas?

Is it the cute little baby in a hay feed for his bed? Maybe you like to think about the shepherds who left their sheep to seek Jesus and pay their respects? Or perhaps you think fondly on Mary the Mother of Jesus and what she has just gone through. Giving birth in one of the most unusual settings and without the usual family support.

If your focus is on any of these, you have missed the point. Christmas is not actually about the infancy of the Saviour. It is about his deity. The humble way in which Jesus came into the world was never intended to be the focus. Though our modern world would like to detract from the Godhead of Christ and make the child the all-important. To do so is to ignore Gods deity and replace it with a feel good human child with a nice heart and gentle spirit. Perfect for a Hallmark Moment, yet missing the point all together.

It may be difficult or even impossible to imagine what it means for God to be born in such a humble way. With the frailty and vulnerability of a child. The human mind in its' natural state is unable to begin to comprehend what was involved in God becoming a man. Let alone trying to explain how he became a baby. Though despite our limitations; God did this all, and without ever diminishing his divine nature or true deity. To be fully human as us, with all or emotions and needs. Yet to be fully God all wise and powerful.

Mankind has journeyed for over 2,000 years since the birth of our Creator, God and Saviour. In this time we have seen groups attempt to claim a knowledge of who this child in the manger really was or is. Some have claimed he was just one of many gods. While others say he was a created being, a high angel, a good teacher, a prophet and many variations. The common thread to all these claims is that they make Jesus to be less than God.

The evidence though is concrete and overwhelming. This child in the manger is the perfect incarnation of God. There is nothing less about who Jesus the Saviour is. The Apostle Paul tells us in Colossians 1:15-20 that Jesus is the First Born. That all things have been created by him and for him. Jesus is the glue that keeps all things together as he is before all things and all that in Him all things are held. Jesus has first place in everything.

With the Father's full pleasure that Jesus have the fullness of God within him and through his very being, he has been set to reconcile all things. Through the blood that was shed on the cross. Yes, we have now journeyed from the manger to the cross. The child is not the complete story. Just as the Cross is not the end of the journey.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
I praise your Holy Name,
Thank you for the gift of creation,
Thank you for the Gift of Salvation,
Thank you for your divine presence,
In each and everyday of my life.

Amen