The Firstborn Over All Creation

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.

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation — if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.

But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are His child, God has made you also an heir. — Galatians 4:4–7

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory. — Romans 8:14–17

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!.. We know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. — 1 John 3:1–2

Meditation

We are about to celebrate the birth of the Son of God, the firstborn over all creation — not the first created being, as some religions falsely claim, but the one who holds our universe together and without whom we would have neither life nor breath. His birth in Bethlehem has implications for all of us. Jesus was born on earth so that we could become God’s children too, all of us. The gospel Jesus brought was for everyone, then and now. It destroyed all barriers among people: social, racial and gender-related. Our unity is based on our new identity as children of God. That is what we are! Our status in Christ far surpasses any earthly advantages we would have over one another. There is no room for pride. No distinction of slave or free, no wealthy or poor, no in or out.

We are all God’s children. He has sent the Holy Spirit to be within us. We can “hear” God speak to us through His Word. We can speak directly to Him in daily prayers. He hears the cries of His children, “Abba, Father.” All this is our Christmas gift from Him. It’s a free gift. We cannot earn it. We cannot work for it. All we need to do is accept the gift.

God loves us and wants us to be with Him, to love him. He accepts us as we are. He has a plan for each one of us. He wants us to be close to Him for all eternity. God sent His Son to earth, the baby whose birth brings us Christmas, to make that happen.

Prayer

Abba, Father, how comforting it is to come to You, knowing Your love is a gift I did not earn and can never lose. Thank You. I am in awe as I realize how great a gift this truly is. Though I live in a culture that erects barriers between people, barriers that divide us and make us feel either arrogant or inferior, I am so grateful to You for sending Your Son, the Lord Jesus, who broke through these walls with His love, acceptance, forgiveness and service to the lost, to the least and to the lonely. Teach me to treasure all the people I encounter today, to love them and to seek only good for them. In Your Son’s name I pray. Amen.

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Your Turn

The gift of God to us truly is inscrutable! Can you get your mind around being seen by God “without blemish and free from accusation”? Wholly loved. Pursued. Treasured. Meditate today on God’s incredible Christmas gift. How does beginning to digest His love for you motivate you to reach out to others during the Christmas season? Join the conversation on our blog! We’d love to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily