The Incarnation: Christ the Firstborn

"And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence" (Colossians 1:18).

Jesus Christ came into the world over 2,000 years ago to redeem a people for Himself: His body, the true church.

In Colossians 1:18, Paul declares that Jesus -- in the original language, "He Himself," Christ and no other -- is the firstborn from among the dead. He was the first to be loosed from the birth-pangs of death (Acts 2:24), in order that He might be the firstborn among many brethren (Romans 8:29).

This is why God incarnate was born of a virgin in the most humble circumstances, lived the perfect life we could not live, and died the death we deserved to die.

Amidst all the busy-ness and focus on the material, many things compete for first place in our lives. That's especially true at this time of year. Does Jesus Christ have "the preeminence" -- first place in your thoughts and actions -- this Christmas?

That's our focus this week in a special Christmas message.