Christmas Eve: "God’s Supernova”

Christmas Eve: “God’s Supernova”

In astronomical terms, a supernova is an explosion almost beyond compare. For a brief moment, the explosion becomes the brightest point in the universe, sending enriching energy in every direction.

And in the very beginning, there was the largest supernova ever recorded. We see it reflected in the opening words of the Old Testament—in the beginning God created.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” (Genesis 1:1-3 NKJV)

Now, we can conclude from what is recorded that this was the ultimate supernova, but it went beyond an astronomical event; it was more, because from that explosion came life. It didn’t destroy life, as supernovas are shown to do; some even become black holes. This supernova brought life, and that life became evident on Earth.

In the Genesis account, God created life on the third day, and the light sustained it. But the light that sustained life on Earth was not the Sun. For you see, the Sun and Moon were created on the fourth day.

So, what was that light? What was that supernova? Well, it was God, or, to be more precise, it was Jesus.

Now, how can I be sure of that? Well, to find out, we can’t go back to the time of creation, but we can look ahead to the creation of the new heavens and earth and the new Jerusalem.

And to do this, we need to go to the book of Revelation, where it gives us the account that just so happens to line up with the creation account.

“The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.” (Revelation 21:23 NKJV)

Who is the Lamb? Well, it is Jesus, as John the Baptist records saying. When he saw Jesus, he said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29 NKJV)

And so, we have God’s supernova at the beginning of all creation and again at the end of this creation, where this new supernova won’t be just for a moment in time but rather will last for the rest of time, or even after time itself has ended.

But there was another supernova right in the middle of the beginning and the end of time; it separated the Old Testament from the New Testament.

Before this time of separation, the prophet Isaiah described it as a time that reminds us of how it was in the beginning: a time of darkness, when darkness covered everything. Then a supernova exploded on this earth, and suddenly a great light shone.

Look at how Isaiah describes it.

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shone.” (Isaiah 9:2 NKJV)

As in the beginning, a great darkness covered the earth. However, it wasn’t a physical darkness like that at the beginning, but a spiritual one. And then came the light of God’s supernova to dispel the spiritual darkness.

And what was this light? Well, it’s not a “what,” but a “who,” as Isaiah went on to say,

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

And so, it was on the day we celebrate as Christmas. 2,000 years ago, God’s supernova, Jesus Christ, the light of the world, was born. More literally, Jesus, God’s supernova, exploded onto the scene.

Jesus, the Word of God, who was in the beginning with God and who was God, and who created everything, came and dwelt among us. It says that the Word, who was and is God, who created everything in the beginning, and who will be the light for everything in the end, became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1-3, 14)

Luke, in his historical account, said that Jesus came “To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:79 NKJV)

Now, listen to the words of Jesus about His being the light of God for this sin-darkened world.

“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12 NKJV)

“I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” (Revelation 22:16b NKJV)