“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.” [Colossians 1:19-20]

 

Here is a Christmas gift for you, for me, for the Church and the world.

This short passage is a beautifully wrapped gift of grace. Simple in its structure, clear and compelling in its meaning, the pure and uncommercialized Christmas message is presented here to be read, to be remembered, to be spoken, to be shared. 

As in the Nicene Creed, (one Being with the Father) and the first chapter of the gospel of John, (the Word become flesh and lived among us), here the miracle of the incarnation is unwrapped: “In Christ, all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.”

This remarkable passage is in the present tense. God is pleased to come to us! God loves us so much more than we can ever understand. God in Christ was/is pleased to reconcile all things – the whole world.  Remember, it was the creator God who formed the heavens and the earth, and who was pleased and pronounced it ”good.”

Jesus asked his disciples to share this reconciling love with all people:  And he said to them “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.”  [Mark 16:15]

How difficult it is, this year especially, to see and experience the peace that is declared by this passage.  We are heartsick and often discouraged by the relentless reports of violence and terror. Yet, the gift of reconciliation and peace is here, already purchased and given. Peace larger than the current world events. Peace that is already ours, even now breaking into our world.

Yet this gift is not an easy peace, nor superficial, but a deep, eternal and sacrificial peace.  Peace which comes “through the blood of his cross;” a reminder that the cradle and the cross cannot be separated.

In Christ, God accomplishes the work of reconciliation for us, forever. The whole universe has been reconciled in the Christ event. 

Let heaven and nature sing!!

Download a reproducible copy of this message for your congregation

 

Christmas blessings from your entire Synod staff!

Front row: Laura Kalemkarian, Molly Beck Dean, Debbie Perez, Peg Cameron, Bob Fisher.
Second row: Judy Koenig, Gemechis Buba, Joanne Carlson, Claire Burkat, Cynta Outterbridge, Serena Sellers, Larry Hand, Janine Niwinski, Bette Anton, Ginny Bailey.

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