Image of the Invisible God

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross. (Colossians 1:15-20 NIV)

Jesus was no ordinary baby.

The Living God is wholly other than human beings. Our finite minds are incapable of knowing Him unless He reveals Himself to us. We can discern things about God, but cannot really know who He is without this revelation. God can be discerned and experienced to a point in nature - in the awe we feel at an amazing sunset or the sheer grandeur of the stars in heaven in the dark, nighttime sky. God can also be known to an extent in our conscience. We all share an innate sense that there is something wrong and evil about harming a child.

By itself, such knowledge is incomplete. But God did not leave us to seek after Him solely in these cosmic clues.

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. (Hebrews 1:1-3 NIV)

God revealed Himself in Jesus. He poured Himself into Jesus. If you have seen Jesus, you have seen the Father. Jesus took on flesh so we could know God. If you want to know the heart of God, study the Gospels and see the life and character and love and sacrifice of Jesus.

Jesus' life did not begin in the stable in Bethlehem that night so long ago. He is a pre-existing member of the triune Godhead. In Colossians, Paul says, "The Son is the image of the invisible God..." In Hebrews, scripture says, "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being..." This means Jesus is more than a human teacher. He is the Son of God, the Savior of the world and Lord of all who give their lives to Him in the surrender of faith.

Colossians also makes these amazing claims about this not-so-ordinary baby whose birth we celebrate at Christmas:

1--Jesus, the incarnate Son of God is the Head of His body, the Church. The church is much more than a club we belong to or an institution that has done so much good in the world. It is a living organism with Jesus Christ at the head.

2--Jesus, the incarnate Son of God is the Firstborn from among the dead. Resurrection and eternal life are only possible for us because He went into death and conquered it first. When John sees the risen Christ in Revelation, chapter 1, Jesus says to him, "I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades." (Revelation 1:18 NIV)

3--Jesus, the incarnate Son of God is the Reconciler of sinful people to Holy God. Did you ever break a dish or figurine that had special meaning, and painstakingly glue it back together? Jesus takes our shattered lives and restores what was broken - our relationship with God. In sin, we live in rebellion against the God who made us. In salvation we put down our weapons and return home to live together as a family again.

4--Jesus, the incarnate Son of God is the Maker of Peace by the blood of His cross. What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! His death paid the price for our sin. Covered by His blood, we are redeemed from sin and death.

The glory of Christmas is not just that a sweet baby was born. Jesus is more than His moral teachings. Christmas is far more than family gatherings and gifts. In the nativity we celebrate the birth of this particular baby: the incarnate Son of God. C. S. Lewis, in his book, Miracles, states that this - the incarnation of the Son of God - is the central miracle of Christianity. All the other miracles either prepare for this great event, exhibit its reality, or serve as manifestations of God becoming human.

Jesus became human so we could know God in person. Don't leave Him in the manger. Give Him your life and love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Then the glory of the story will be fully evident in your life, and through you to others.