The Everyday Gospel Christmas DevotionalSample

How would you describe Jesus, the one on whom you have hung your hope in this life and the one to come?

No book of the Bible begins as Hebrews does. It’s as though the writer of Hebrews invites you into the divine theater and ushers you to a great seat. As the orchestra swells, he pulls back the curtain, and a bright and shining light of glory bursts forth from the stage. He says, “Here is your Savior.” This description of Jesus isn’t one you should rush through, as though you bumped into him on the street on your way to something more important:

"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

"For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? . . . But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” (Heb. 1:1–5, 8–9)

This portrait of the Savior is majestic and multifaceted, and so it deserves meditation. It is meant not only to deepen and clarify your understanding of the second person of the Trinity, but to change you, that is, to deepen your understanding of who you are as God’s child. Sometimes when you come across such glory, it prompts you to stop, be silent, behold, and worship. Hebrews 1 offers us an account of this kind of glory.

So, who is Jesus? He is God’s final revelation to us. In him we see the full radiance of God’s glory, because he shares God’s exact nature. Jesus not only created the world, but he is the one who holds the creation together by his infinite power. Jesus is the only one who has the power to purify us from sin—an amazing act indeed. He is God the Father’s beloved Son, who now sits at his right hand. Jesus’ throne is forever and ever, and he rules in gladness and righteousness. There is and never will be anyone like him. Jesus is majestic in glory and brimming with redeeming grace. He reigns over his creation for the sake of his own. There is no one more worthy of your hope. There is no one more worthy of your trust. There is no one more deserving of your worship. Today, and all the days that follow, we bow before the majesty of our Savior King and offer our whole hearts and lives to him.

Prayer:

Jesus, I stand in awe of you. I am stunned by your glory, the glory of God himself. You created the world and continue to hold it together. You have used your purifying power to cleanse your people from sin. You rule from heaven in gladness and righteousness. You are majestic and gracious. All I can do is worship you with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my life. In your name I do so, amen.