Advent Devotions December 21

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

The imago dei, or image of the invisible God. We too are told that we are created in the image of God, yet we struggle with what God’s being is actually like. God is all in all! There are no defined parameters for God in the world. It is only our human tendency to want to place those parameters and physical limitations on the God that we worship and praise.

Christ being born incarnate of Mary, lets us place a face to God in our world and time. It is in Christ that God is able to relate to so many people throughout the world, over 2.1 billion Christians. We are called to continue the proclamation of Christ and baptize in his name. There may be many different ways that we hear this calling, as is apparent in the many different denominations within the Christian church. We all return to the same God though, in whose image we were created.

Creating God, be with us this week as we approach Christmas as may we be filled with your Spirit. Fill us with love for our neighbors and reach out to those in need. AMEN.