The period of the first Advent seems to have concluded on Christmas Day. Who is this person called Immanuel? Immanuel is a Hebrew name that appears in the Book of Isaiah, and Matthew interprets it as a prophecy of the birth of the Messiah, fulfilled in the person of Jesus. Festivities aside, Christians the world over accept that God was incarnate in the person of Jesus on Christmas Day. Through these daily devotions, we have tried to discover who Jesus is, why He came into this world, and the impact of His birth, His ministry, His substitutionary death on the Cross, and His resurrection, upon the human race.
The day has come for a brief summary. Jesus is the vulnerable child of Christmas; He is the humble preacher; He is the despised, the rejected, and the crucified Christ. But Jesus is also the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature, who was before all things, and by whom all things consist: "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist" (Colossians 1:15-17). Jesus is in the universe, and the universe is in Him.
Jesus is the King, ridiculed on the Cross, yet reigning from His heavenly throne. He is the mighty Lord who rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. He is Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He is cursed by the world, but blessed by God.
Let us always look to Jesus, because in His crucified and glorified heart — glorified through His resurrection — we will see ourselves, called to share in His suffering as well as in His glory.
Wishing all of you the peace of Jesus, in humility and supplication, I conclude this Advent series.