The mark of greatness is not just who one seems to be, but what they will acheive.
Look at Jesus lying in a manger. A helpless child who must be fed and clothed, cared for and carried, burped and changed. But look more closely. Come and see this One who has chosen to leave heaven to come to us. This Immanuel—God with us!
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. (Colossians 1:15)
He has no earthly father. One with God, He is God, clothed in human skin. Although He’s laid aside His rights as God to do His Father’s will, He is perfectly God in every way.
For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. (Colossians 1:16)
As you gaze at the baby, look around you. Each animal was created by Him. The flowers and trees came from His mind. Kings and kingdoms exist because of His creative hand. Lift your eyes this night and see the uncountable stars—myriad galaxies—and know that this small One flung each one into the heavens and knows them all by name! Even his mother, Mary, was made by the One she bore!
He is before all things (Colossians 1:17a)
See the softness of His newborn skin, but know that He has always been. Years do not define His life. Before His mother and earthly father, before kingdoms, and before the creation of all the earth, He was!
This child … HOLDS THE WORLD TOGETHER!
And in Him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:17b)
It looks as if this baby could hold nothing. He can hardly grip His mother’s finger. But do not be misled. This One who left heaven is He through which the universe finds its balance. He holds it all in His hands with power and cohesion.
This child … IS THE RESURRECTED HEAD!
He is also head of the body, the church, and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. (Colossians 1:18)
Commanding nothing in the lowly stable, He will rise to birth the church and build it in such ways that hell will not prevail against her. He will rise from the dead and then, in turn, will raise all who trust in Him! Before this One, every knee will bow, and tongue confess that He is Lord!
This child … IS THE PRINCE WHO BRINGS PEACE IN HEAVEN AND EARTH!
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; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:19-20)
He looks helpless, but do not be deceived. In His brief life on earth, He will accomplish the Father’s plan with perfect fullness. He will crush the head of our great Enemy and all his band. He will bring an everlasting peace to believing men and women, boys and girls, and the ultimate reign of peace in heaven and earth!
Look at Christ! This baby, this child, this God!
