In the light of Advent
Hennie Symington

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation ... Colossians 1:18

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17 (KJV)

Undoubtedly the star of Advent is Christ. During the year we are so intent on ourselves and our own families and dealing with our own difficulties, that this month offers us a chance to focus on the run up to the Christmas story.

Amid the many saviours and messiahs who have come and gone throughout history Jesus stands, not as a footnote to a philosophy or as an inaccessible bit of ethics that only a small group of people understands. Nor does He appear as some or other shaman or holy man who promises to bring you closer to God, or take you on your a journey of self discovery.

Who is He? He is the Divine and has been in existence from before time and space. Unlike man, He is not created in the image of God; He is God himself.

He is God the Creator because “by Him all things were created, visible as well as invisible (v 16)

He is the "head" (v 18) of his church on earth because he was the first to conquer death. But more importantly, God has chosen to reside in him with all power and might and to make him visible to us.

We are not dealing with a mere image of God, or just a helpless child in a manger. Christ stands as Pantocrator - Ruler of the universe.

However, the most profound truth about Christ is that He made himself vulnerable to be born in our hearts.

Prayer
Lord, you as the Ruler of the universe came to us in all simplicity because you loved us so much. We want to honour and dedicate ourselves to you anew. Amen