Introduction

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. As we gather here today, we find ourselves in the midst of the joyous season of Christmas, a season that is filled with the warmth of love, the sparkle of hope, and the magic of miracles. It's a time when our hearts are filled with joy, our homes are filled with laughter, and our lives are filled with the blessings of God. But more than anything else, Christmas is a time when we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Today, we are here to focus on a very special theme, "Emmanuel: God with Us." This theme is not just a title, it's a promise, a promise that God made to us thousands of years ago, a promise that He fulfilled in the form of Jesus Christ. Our aim today is to help each and every one of you to know and understand this Jesus of Christmas.

As we embark on this journey of understanding, let's turn our attention to the Scriptures. Our scripture reading for today is from the book of Colossians, chapter 1, verses 1 to 20.

"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To God's holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God's people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God's grace. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 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."

Before we continue, let's bow our heads and hearts in prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for this beautiful day that You have given us. We thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate during this season. We ask You to open our hearts and minds today as we seek to know and understand more about Jesus. Help us to see Him not just as a baby in a manger, but as our Savior, our Redeemer, and our King. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Now, imagine for a moment that you are standing on the shore of a vast ocean. This ocean is not made up of water, but of love, grace, and mercy. It's an ocean that is so deep, so wide, and so vast that you can't see the other side. This ocean is Jesus. He is not just a drop in the ocean of God's love, He is the ocean. He is not just a part of God's plan, He is the plan. He is not just a messenger of God's grace, He is the grace.

As we stand on the shore of this ocean, let's not just dip our toes in the water. Let's plunge in. Let's immerse ourselves in the love, grace, and mercy of Jesus. Let's allow Him to wash over us, to cleanse us, to renew us, and to fill us with His presence.

This is the Jesus of Christmas. This is the Jesus we are here to know and understand. This is the Jesus we are here to celebrate. So, let's embark on this journey together, with open hearts and open minds, ready to receive all that God has in store for us.

The Preeminence of Christ (Colossians 1:15-17)

Who is this Christ of Christmas? This is a question that we must ask ourselves as we celebrate this festive season. In the book of Colossians, the apostle Paul gives us a clear picture of who Christ is. He is not just a baby in a manger. He is not just a good man who lived a long time ago. He is much more than that.

Paul tells us in Colossians 1:15-17 that Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. What does this mean? It means that Christ is God in human form. He is the visible representation of the invisible God. When we look at Christ, we see God. We see His love, His mercy, His grace, His power, His wisdom, and His glory.

Christ is also the firstborn over all creation. This does not mean that Christ was created, as some people mistakenly think. The term "firstborn" here is a title of preeminence. It means that Christ has the highest rank and the greatest authority over all creation. He is the supreme ruler of the universe.

Through Christ, all things were created, both in heaven and on earth. This means that Christ is the creator of all things. He is the one who spoke the universe into existence. He is the one who formed the mountains, filled the oceans, and set the stars in their places. He is the one who made us, and we are His.

Nothing exists without Christ. He is the source of all life, all power, all wisdom, and all goodness. He is the one who holds everything together. Without Him, everything would fall apart.

Now, let's take a moment to look at the original language of this passage. The Greek word for "firstborn" is "prototokos," which means "preeminent one." This word is used to describe someone who has the highest rank and the greatest authority. It is a title of honor and respect. So when Paul says that Christ is the firstborn over all creation, he is saying that Christ is the preeminent one, the one who has the highest rank and the greatest authority over all creation.

The great theologian Augustine once said, "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you." This quote reminds us that we were created by Christ and for Christ. Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Him. He is the one who gives meaning and purpose to our lives. He is the one who satisfies the deepest longings of our hearts.

Christ is not only the creator of all things, but He is also the sustainer of all things. He is the one who keeps the universe running smoothly. He is the one who keeps the planets in their orbits, the stars in their places, and the earth rotating on its axis. He is the one who keeps our hearts beating, our lungs breathing, and our bodies functioning. He is the one who provides for our needs, guides our steps, and protects us from harm.

Christ is also the redeemer of all things. He is the one who came to earth to save us from our sins. He is the one who died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. He is the one who rose from the dead to give us new life. He is the one who offers us forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life.

So who is this Christ of Christmas? He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, the creator of all things, the sustainer of all things, and the redeemer of all things. He is the one who loves us, cares for us, and saves us. He is the one who deserves our worship, our praise, and our allegiance. He is the one who is worthy of all honor, all glory, and all praise. He is the one who is, who was, and who is to come. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is the Christ of Christmas.

The Reconciliation through Christ (Colossians 1:19-20)

Friends, let's take a moment to consider the Christ of Christmas. Who is He? What does His birth mean for us? Let's turn to the book of Colossians, chapter 1, verses 19-20. Here, we find a clear picture of Jesus, the One whose birth we celebrate each Christmas.

Firstly, Jesus is God in the flesh. The Bible tells us that in Jesus, all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. This means that Jesus is not just a good man or a wise teacher. He is God Himself, come to earth in human form. He is the visible image of the invisible God, the One who reveals God to us.

Secondly, Jesus is the reconciler. Through Him, God chose to reconcile all things to Himself. This is the heart of the Christmas message. Jesus came to earth to bring us back to God, to mend the broken relationship caused by our sin. He came to make peace, not through force or power, but through the sacrifice of His own life.

Let's pause here and consider another passage that echoes this theme. In 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Paul writes, "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them."

This passage reinforces what we've learned from Colossians. Jesus is the means by which we are reconciled to God. He took our sins upon Himself, so that we could be forgiven and brought back into a right relationship with God.

Thirdly, Jesus is the peacemaker. He made peace through His blood, shed on the cross. This is the ultimate act of love and sacrifice. Jesus willingly gave His life, enduring the pain and shame of the cross, to bring us peace with God.

Now, let's return to our original passage and draw out two more truths about the Christ of Christmas.

Fourthly, Jesus is the sustainer of all things. Colossians 1:17 tells us that "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." This means that Jesus is not just the creator of the universe, but He is also the one who keeps it running. He holds all things together, from the smallest atom to the largest galaxy.

Finally, Jesus is the head of the church. Verse 18 says, "And He is the head of the body, the church." Jesus is not just a distant deity, but a personal Savior who leads and guides His people. He is the head of the church, the one who directs and governs all its activities.

So, as we celebrate Christmas, let's remember who Jesus is. He is God in the flesh, the reconciler, the peacemaker, the sustainer of all things, and the head of the church. This is the Christ of Christmas, the One who came to earth to bring us back to God. Let's celebrate His birth with joy and gratitude, and let's live in the light of His love and grace.

The Hope in Christ (Colossians 1:27)

As we gather here today, let's take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. It's not just about the twinkling lights, the beautifully wrapped gifts, or the festive carols. At its core, Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. But who is this Christ of Christmas? What does His birth mean for us today?

Let's turn our attention to the book of Colossians, specifically Colossians 1:1-20. In these verses, the Apostle Paul paints a vivid picture of Jesus, helping us to understand His nature, His purpose, and His significance in our lives.

Firstly, Paul describes Jesus as the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. This is a profound statement. It tells us that Jesus is not just a man, but God Himself in human form. He is the exact representation of God's being, embodying all of God's attributes and character. This means that when we look at Jesus, we see God. We see His love, His mercy, His grace, His power, His wisdom, and His righteousness.

Moreover, Jesus is the firstborn over all creation. This doesn't mean that Jesus was created, as some might mistakenly think. Instead, it signifies His supremacy and authority over all things. Everything 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.

This brings us to a quote by A.W. Tozer, a renowned Christian author and pastor. He once said, "Jesus Christ is not valued at all until He is valued above all." This quote beautifully encapsulates the supremacy of Jesus. He is not just one of many gods or one of many ways to God. He is God Himself, the only way to God, and He deserves our highest honor, our deepest reverence, and our utmost devotion.

Secondly, Paul tells us that Jesus is the head of the body, the church. This means that Jesus is the leader, the authority, the source of life, and the unifying factor of the church. The church is not a building, an organization, or a social club. It's a living organism, a body, with Jesus as its head. Just as a body cannot function without the head, the church cannot function without Jesus. He is the one who gives us direction, purpose, and life. He is the one who holds us together, who nourishes us, who guides us, and who empowers us to fulfill our God-given mission.

Lastly, Paul reveals that Jesus is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead. This speaks of His resurrection from the dead, which is the cornerstone of our faith. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we have the assurance of eternal life. Death has lost its sting, the grave has lost its victory. We no longer need to fear death, for in Christ, we have the promise of life, a life that is abundant, eternal, and full of glory.

In conclusion, the Christ of Christmas is not just a baby in a manger. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, the head of the body, the church, the beginning, and the firstborn from among the dead. He is our Savior, our Lord, our God, and our King. As we celebrate Christmas, let's remember who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Let's honor Him, worship Him, and serve Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. For He is worthy of all our praise, all our love, and all our devotion.

Conclusion

In wrapping up our sermon today, dear friends, we've been journeying through the book of Colossians, specifically focusing on the first chapter, verses one through twenty. We've been asking ourselves, "Who is this Christ of Christmas?" We've been seeking to truly understand the Jesus of Christmas.

We've discovered that Jesus is not just a figure in a nativity scene. He is not just a character in a story we tell once a year. He is so much more. He is Emmanuel, God with us. He is the one who holds everything together. He is the one who reconciles us to God. He is the one who brings hope.

The Jesus of Christmas is preeminent. He is above all things. He is before all things. He is the one who holds all things together. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead. In everything, he is preeminent.

The Jesus of Christmas is our reconciler. He is the one who has made peace through his blood, shed on the cross. He is the one who has reconciled us to God. He is the one who has brought us from a place of alienation and hostility to a place of peace and friendship with God.

The Jesus of Christmas is our hope. He is the one in whom all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. He is the one who brings hope to a world in need. He is the one who gives us hope for the future.

As we celebrate this Christmas season, let's not lose sight of who Jesus really is. Let's not get so caught up in the busyness and the festivities that we forget the true meaning of Christmas. Let's remember that Christmas is about Jesus. It's about Emmanuel, God with us. It's about the preeminent one, the reconciler, the hope-bringer.

And as we remember who Jesus is, let's strive to be more like him in the coming week. Let's strive to be preeminent in our love for others. Let's strive to be reconcilers, bringing peace and unity wherever we go. Let's strive to be hope-bringers, sharing the hope of Jesus with those around us.

Let's pray together.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to be with us. We thank You for His preeminence, His reconciliation, and the hope He brings. Help us to truly understand who Jesus is this Christmas season. And as we understand, help us to be more like Him. Help us to love like He loves. Help us to bring peace like He brings peace. Help us to bring hope like He brings hope. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

And now, as we close, receive this benediction. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and forevermore. Amen.

Remember, dear friends, the Jesus of Christmas is with us. He is preeminent. He is our reconciler. He is our hope. Let's live in light of these truths in the coming week.

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