Advent Day 20

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

Do you ever wonder how God feels about the incarnation? The eternal God, creator of all things, righteous and holy, took on flesh and became man. Surely, the best you could hope for describing God’s attitude towards this event would be that he was willing. But no. Paul tells us that he was pleased to do it. That should leave you amazed. Why would God be pleased to take on flesh and die for people who hate him? That a father would be willing to die for his child is something we understand. But Jesus is pleased to die for his enemies to make them children of God. This tells us something important: God is all about peace and reconciliation.

In Hebrews 12:2, we are told that Christ endured the cross “for the joy set before him.” That joy is creation’s reconciliation and peace with God. This promise of peace is the message that was spoken to Adam and Eve after the fall. This is the message delivered to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

This is the message placed in the mouths of the Old Testament prophets and sung by angels to shepherds. And this is the message Christians proclaim and cling to today. Out of unfathomable love, God was pleased to become man and shed his blood to bring peace and reconciliation to the world. Christmas is the declaration that God is not only willing to make peace with you, he is pleased to do it.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. You are permitted to use the accompanying 2024 Advent and Christmas Sermon Guide or the Digital Download of this Advent 2024 Devotional in your church or ministry for free, as long as you do not charge for any of the 2024 1517 Advent Resources, or use them for any commercial purpose.

Advent © 2024 1517
All rights reserved