“Jesus Christ—the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” Rev. 1:5-6
Lord Jesus, one week from today, Advent will “deliver” Christmas—the day we celebrate Mary’s labor of love, and your labor of grace. As we draw close to the manger this year, grant us a wide-angle lens so we can simultaneously ponder your crib, cross, and crown. Remind us just how big Christmas actually is, summarized in John’s opening burst of praise in the book of Revelation.
As Mary’s firstborn child, you came to be the “firstborn from the dead.” Your first breath in our world led to our first breath in your Kingdom. It’s why we loudly sing… “Born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.”
Hallelujah… and thank you Lord Jesus. Because you have already “freed us from our sins,” we fear neither condemnation, nor doubt our acceptance with God ((Rom. 8:1;15:7). Right now, with a constancy and delight beyond our apprehension, You. Love. Us. (Rev. 1:5) You love us just as much as the Father loves you—with full bore passion, no contingencies or take-backs.
To see your crib, cross, and crown in the same frame is to affirm on this December 2022 Sunday that you are already “the ruler of the kings of the earth.” We simply do not have to fear anything, anyone, anywhere, anytime. With “herald angels” we “hark” as gratefully as we can, “Glory to the newborn (reigning, and returning) King!” So Very Amen!