Our Constant Star Advent Day 7

Read & Journal

Read Colossians 1:15-20, focusing your attention on verses 15-17. Ask yourself:

• What do these verses (15-17) teach you about Jesus?

• How do these verses reflect or back up what you’ve learned about Jesus this week?

• As you look over these verses, what phrases or truths about Jesus stand out to you? Why?

• What is your response to this passage? How does dwelling on Jesus’ divine, eternal nature call you to worship?

• How will you choose to express your worship and praise to Jesus today, praising him as the Son of God who has done all that is necessary to break the chains of sin in your life?

Ponder

Music is a big part of my life. I sing when I’m folding clothes, when I’m drying my hair and when I’m driving. I love being a part of my church’s music ministry, but I also love the Sundays I simply get to sit in the congregation and hear the voices of the faithful rising around me, knowing that as we sing these songs together, we are expressing our faith in and our need for God.

So, when I read today’s passage, I can’t help but see it as a song or poem. Possibly a prayer or early Christian hymn, Colossians 1:15-20 invites us to dwell upon Christ and praise him for who he is as well as what he has done.

In verses 15-17, the hymn expresses many of the theological truths about Jesus that we’ve been unpacking this week. He is eternal and divine, one with the Father and the primary way God has chosen to reveal himself to us. There is nothing that exists that Jesus did not create, and he has absolute supremacy over all creation. Everything was created through him and for him, meaning that Jesus is simultaneously the Creator and the goal of creation. He is eternal (“before all things”) and powerfully sustains the universe. While our world may sometimes feel chaotic, Jesus is powerful enough to keep our universe from spinning out of control.

If Colossians 1:15-20 is an early Christian hymn, it’s important to notice what the early church was singing about. While verses 19-20 focus on how Christ has saved us, the majority of the hymn is a celebration of Jesus’ character. Every time these early believers lifted their voices to sing this hymn, they focused on who Jesus is and praised his flawless, unchanging character. Eternal. Creator. Divine.

O Brightness of the Father's face,

O Son who shared the Father's might

Before the world knew day or night,

O Jesus, very Light of light,