Colossians 3:15-18 (VOICE) says of Jesus:
“He is the exact image of the invisible God, the firstborn of creation, the eternal. It was by Him that everything was created: the heavens, the earth, all things within and upon them, all things seen and unseen, thrones and dominions, spiritual powers and authorities. Every detail was crafted through His design, by His own hands, and for His purposes. He has always been! It is His hand that holds everything together.”
Isn’t that just astonishing?
In light of the great glory of God, the first few lines of the hymn “Jesus Came, Heavens Adoring” ring so true when I think of the amount of humility that was involved in Jesus’ birth:
“Jesus came, the heavens adoring,
Came with peace from realms on high;
Jesus came for man’s redemption,
Lowly came on earth to die;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Came in deep humility.”
One of the many things that is so beautiful about Jesus is that although He is mighty and all powerful and the King of Kings, He also calls us friends:
“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends .You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:13-15 NASB)
The idea that God is disdainful and angry with us is a tragic lie that I used to believe. Jesus’s birth was an extravagant display of the love that He has for us. He came “from realms on high,” took on the human condition, and came to live in this broken world so that He could save it. Jesus’ birth was an absolute wonder, overflowing with His indescribable love for us. One of my hopes for this advent season is to focus on and celebrate the joy, hope, peace, and affectionate grace that Jesus brought to us by coming to Earth and saving us. I pray that God will overflow our hearts with delight and gratitude for the story of His first coming.
“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.” – Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)
He is holy and unmatched in majesty, yet He is Immanuel, God with us. What great cause for celebration we have for this advent season!
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” – 2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV
Jesus Came, The Heavens Adoring
Words by: Godfrey Thring
Jesus came, the heavens adoring,
Came with peace from realms on high;
Jesus came for man’s redemption,
Lowly came on earth to die;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Came in deep humility.
Jesus comes again in mercy
When our hearts are bowed with care;
Jesus comes again in answer
To an earnest, heartfelt prayer;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Comes to save us from despair.
Jesus comes to hearts rejoicing,
Bringing news of sins forgiven;
Jesus comes in sounds of gladness,
Leading souls redeemed to heaven.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Now the gate of death is riven.
Jesus comes in joy and sorrow,
Shares alike our hopes and fears;
Jesus comes, whate’er befalls us,
Glads our hearts, and dries our tears;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Cheering e’en our failing years.
Jesus comes on clouds triumphant
When the heavens shall pass away;
Jesus comes again in glory.
Let us, then, our homage pay,
Alleluia! ever singing
Till the dawn of endless day.
Credit: Photo by Rachel K Duncan // http://www.rachelkduncan.com // Instagram: @rachelkduncan
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