This Christmas we are focusing on how Jesus is the light who shines in the darkness.
He is for us
He is with us
He is amongst us
He is for us
He is with us
He is amongst us
- Pause – As you begin, pause, open your hands and be aware that God is present with you.
- Read – Read the Bible passage slowly.
Hebrews 1:1-14
Jesus Christ Is God’s Son
Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honour at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.
The Son Is Greater Than the Angels
For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus:
“You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.”
God also said,
“I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.”
And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said,
“Let all of God’s angels worship him.”
Regarding the angels, he says,
“He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire.”
But to the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice.
You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.”
He also says to the Son,
“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothing. You will fold them up like a cloak and discard them like old clothing. But you are always the same; you will live forever.”
And God never said to any of the angels,
“Sit in the place of honour at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”
Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.
Jesus Christ Is God’s Son
Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honour at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.
The Son Is Greater Than the Angels
For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus:
“You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.”
God also said,
“I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.”
And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said,
“Let all of God’s angels worship him.”
Regarding the angels, he says,
“He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire.”
But to the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice.
You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.”
He also says to the Son,
“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothing. You will fold them up like a cloak and discard them like old clothing. But you are always the same; you will live forever.”
And God never said to any of the angels,
“Sit in the place of honour at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”
Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.
- Reflect – Notice what stands out. Why does it stand out? Read the reflection:
God is with us…
As we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth let us remember who He is. Within the manger will lie a helpless, tiny babe and yet He is the heir to all things, everything is His, all that already exists and all that is to come. Even as He is limited in human flesh, baby Jesus radiates, shines God into the darkness of the world around Him, He will go on to reveal God’s character, power and love to all those who will look. And He sustains everything – life itself. No wonder the angels sing. Hark! The angels still sing for this Jesus, let’s join them. Is there a Christmas Carol that you can sing/hum as you go through your day today remembering who this Jesus is? ‘Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King.”
As we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth let us remember who He is. Within the manger will lie a helpless, tiny babe and yet He is the heir to all things, everything is His, all that already exists and all that is to come. Even as He is limited in human flesh, baby Jesus radiates, shines God into the darkness of the world around Him, He will go on to reveal God’s character, power and love to all those who will look. And He sustains everything – life itself. No wonder the angels sing. Hark! The angels still sing for this Jesus, let’s join them. Is there a Christmas Carol that you can sing/hum as you go through your day today remembering who this Jesus is? ‘Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King.”
- Respond – Respond to God in prayer