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“Early in the church’s history, believers began to look at the whole year through the lens of Jesus’ life and ministry. They wanted the rhythm of the year to be shaped not by the
rhythms of work and culture, but by the Gospel. Building on the annual
celebration of Passover by the Jews [and] the victory of light over darkness
celebrated by the Romans . . . they looked at the whole year through the words and deeds of Jesus . . .
“The year begins with Advent, the season encompassing the four Sundays before
Christmas . . . We celebrate the good news that the Bethlehem Child sits on the
throne of the universe and nothing can stand in the way of the coming of his
Kingdom. Advent is, for me, the richest season of all because of the texts we
read, texts that nurture longing and waiting.” – Darrell W. Johnson
Creator and Redeemer
Colossians 1:15-20
For Advent, we take out our songbooks and start singing hymns. Our instinct is
exactly right. When St. Paul starts talking about the coming of Christ, he,
too, bursts into song.
One of the most ancient Christian hymns (Col 1:15-20) is the outcome of the
apostle’s urge to sing praise to the one who became flesh on Christmas Day.
One item is particularly worth pondering in this song: it is the twofold title
that Paul gives to the Son of God. He is both the “firstborn over all creation” and he is the “firstborn from among the dead.” Christmas has to do with both.
We rightly sing because of the second title. Incarnation leads to cross and
resurrection, and so to redemption and peace. As firstborn from among the dead,
Christ is our Redeemer.
But we should not forget to sing also because of the first title, for it is the “firstborn over all creation” who becomes incarnate. The story of Advent only makes sense against the
backdrop of eternity.
The only reason why the “firstborn from among the dead” is able to bring salvation is that he is also the “firstborn over all creation.”
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He is Redeemer of the world only because he is also its Creator.
Gracious Lord,
we praise you for your marvelous grace.
That you, the Creator of the world,
should come to us, to redeem us.’
That in and through yourself
you should raise us to eternal life.
Again, we wait for you, our Alpha and Omega,
our beginning and our end. Amen.
Hans Boersrna
Professor of Theology, Regent College
The preceding passage is taken from The Candle and the Crown (2006), the first in a series of books reflecting on the season of Advent
published by Regent Publishing. The others are Looking, Longing and Living (2007) and God With Us, Always (2008).
Info: RegentPublishing.com .
November 2009
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Billy
http://ceeknowledge.com/