Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Hebrews 1:1-3
Christmas lights aren’t much use if they’re kept in a box. You could plug them in and they’d light up, but nobody could see and enjoy them if they were still inside the box. You could have the greatest light display ever seen, but unless they’re set up and sparkling in the night they’d be pretty pointless.
Lights are made for being put on display.
So that’s what we do! We stick them on our Christmas trees, in our windows, round our homes or in our gardens. We want people to see and enjoy our lights.
Jesus birth shows us that God wanted the world to see, know and enjoy His glory.
Yes, God made the world to reflect His glory, and it does. But God went one step further.
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature…” Hebrews 1:3
Just as the light we have on earth is the radiance of the sun, Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory.
No person could see and bear the fullness of God’s glory. Paul wrote in 1 Timothy that God lives in ‘unapproachable light.’ His glory is so intense, so bright, that nobody could come near.
Jesus came as the radiance of that glory. Jesus is the visible manifestation of God’s glory. Jesus is how we see God’s true greatness and worth.
He is ‘the exact expression of His nature.’ He is the perfect picture of God.
In Jesus we see God’s holiness, sovereignty, goodness and love.
In Jesus we see God’s heart of compassion, care and concern for His people.
In Jesus we see God’s Word speak with clarity, declaring God’s truth.
In Jesus we see God’s grace, mercy, wisdom and patience.
In Jesus we see God.
In Jesus we see God’s glory.
If you want to know how majestic, how wonderful, how immense, how beautiful God is, then come to Jesus. See Jesus, the Son of God, the radiance of God’s glory.
O Come Let Us Adore Him!
A thought to remember: Jesus is God’s glory seen
A question to ask: Have you taken time to see God’s glory in Jesus this Christmas?
A bit more to read: Hebrews 1:1-14
A song to sing: Silent Night