Colossians 1:15-23:

He is the image of the invisible God.

He is 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.

In him all things hold together.

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.

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.

You, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless, above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a servant.

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The Christmas story is a paradox.

He is the image of the invisible God. How can there be an image of him who is invisible?

Born (first) of creation – which he created. How can this be? How can he be a progeny of his own creation?

Born (first) from the dead! Not only is he a progeny of his own creation, but of that part that has died. Dead things do not produce life. But in this case, that is exactly what happened. So complete and full of life is Jesus’ creation that even what is dead produces life.

So complete is his humility that not only did he not consider equality something to be grasped, but he humbled himself – to be progeny from his own creation. But not the finest exemplar of it. Rather the lowest of the low. Human, but not only human, but a servant, weak, poor, powerless. A man of sorrows, acquainted with griefs.

A baby.

And not only the least of humanity. But sin itself. He who knew no sin became sin.

So – that in all things he might have the supremacy.

So – that he might reconcile all things.

Including us.

Including me.

By this blood on his cross.

I was once alienated, hostile, doing evil deeds. I am now reconciled.

He now presents me holy, blameless, free from reproach, free even from blame or accusation.

If I continue in the faith. At first glance, chilling. Is there a possibility not to continue in the faith? But this is not to continue “sinless,” as if I ever was or ever could be. But in faith! This faith is not about my effort, holiness, or self-righteousness. Just the opposite. It is faith in this One. This One who is the subject of all these paradoxes.

It’s all about him. It’s all about his work of reconciliation. It’s all about him reconciling us, presenting us as holy, blameless, above reproach, beyond even accusation.

Jesus’ humility is a progression:

• Letting go equality with God
• Becoming a baby
• Becoming weak, poor and powerless
• Becoming sin
• Death on the cross

Resulting in his resurrection and victory over sin and death.

His redemption of me is the reverse of this progression:

• He meets me dead in my sins
• He breathed his life in me and made me born again, a new creature
• He fills me with his Spirit, empowers me with his power, and entrust me with his riches
• He is growing me up into maturity, to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of me
• He has raised up with him and seated me with him in heavenly places

Now that is a paradox.

Lord, thank you for the paradox of your humility and work of reconciliation. May I live in full reflection of this reality.

~~~