Christmas is closer this week than last. Christmas is to remember and celebrate that Christ is supreme over all things, and every Sunday, even every day, is a time and reason to celebrate Christ coming into the world.
Jesus is supreme over eternity and creation. Paul wrote to the Colossians to tell them, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together (Colossians 1:15-17).” Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God, the exact imprint of His nature, there with God the Father from the beginning. There is peace and stability in knowing there is reason and purpose in creation. “Big bang” randomness is false and hopeless. And, Christ is supreme over nations, governments, and rulers. No president or prime minister has any power apart from what Jesus has allowed. He is King of kings and Lord of lords over all the nations.
Jesus is supreme over His church and His people. Paul continues, “And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent.” He is the head of all things and His church, as a husband is head of his wife (Eph 5:23). He is first. Is Christ first in your life, at work? Your marriage? Is He supreme over your calendar and bank account? He is the Messiah, Lord of the universe. We celebrate His creating and redeeming work this Christmas.
Jesus is supreme over reconciliation. Why do we celebrate Jesus’ birth? We celebrate looking forward, with a view to His death and resurrection.“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).” God created and everything was good, but man fell in sin. Death entered in and everything became corrupt, broken, alienated from God. God began His plan of reconciling, restoring, and redeeming, which culminated in Christ on the cross. Your only chance for peace and the only peace you can have in life is through Him, by His blood. Only His blood can wash away your sin and fix your relationship with God.
And that’s the good news of Christmas. We were once alienated from God and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, but He has now reconciled us to Him in His body of flesh by His death. We are holy and blameless and above reproach before Him; there is therefore now no condemnation in Christ. Christmas is a time to remember and reflect on His work of creation, redemption, and glory. We are not perfect, but progressing, continuing in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that we heard (Colossians 1:21-23). Christmas is a time to remember His supremacy and preeminence over all things.