There’s a reason we conceal our Christmas gifts in wrapping paper, or keep them hidden inside of our stockings. In fact, historians think the tradition of wrapping presents began thousands of years ago, not long after the invention of paper itself. And stockings? They’ve been hung by the chimney with care since the early 1800s. There’s something about the moment you have the go-ahead on Christmas morning, knowing the only thing standing between you and your gifts is some festive tissue. There’s something about watching the look on someone’s face as they tear through the paper Santas to see what you’ve gotten for them—which brings us to December’s word of the month. There’s just something about a big reveal.
I think God must love a big reveal. A burning bush isn’t exactly subtle. Only seven loaves and a few fish? 5,000 people are full and satisfied. Ta da! He reveals himself through His creation, He reveals himself by impressing His law on our hearts through our conscience, and He reveals himself through His word. But as long as we’ve been decking the halls, trimming the trees and giving gifts at Christmastime (the wise men didn’t even show up to the stable empty-handed), we’ve had the greatest gift we could ever be given, and it wasn’t underneath any wrapping paper. No, it wasn’t myrrh. It was the birth of Jesus—when God revealed himself to us.
When Jesus was born as a human on earth, God revealed a picture of himself to us. A person others could see, smell, hear and touch. Tangible grace for all of humankind. This month’s verse, Colossians 1:15, tells us: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” By sending His son to walk among us, He gave us an example of how to live. Jesus gave us restoration through His life, through His death, and through the biggest big reveal of them all, His resurrection.
In sending His son, He gave us Christmas. He revealed himself—the image of the invisible God. He invited us into a new family—the firstborn of all creation. We are brothers and sisters in Christ, united by God the Father. In John 14:9 Jesus says “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”
This month, as we try to stay focused on the King and not the chaos, we invite you to dance in awe of the reason for this season. In the person of Christ, what was revealed about God himself? How does this revelation affect the way you’re walking? Are you walking with Him? What is He revealing to you in the image of the invisible this month? And don’t forget last month. How are you responding?
Our Father in heaven and the Holy Spirit in our hearts are both working towards one goal: That we might become like Jesus. The more we become like our Lord in character, the more we will live on earth as He lived. Jesus revealed that life to us. The perfect example. If we want to know who God is, all we need to do is look at the life of Christ. What a gift!