Introduction

As we continue our Advent series, The Miracles of Christmas, we turn our attention to the mystery of Christmas — the astonishing truth that God did not merely send salvation, but came Himself.

Isaiah foretold it centuries before Jesus’ birth:

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

Immanuel means “God with us.”
But what does that actually mean?

In Colossians 1:15–20, the Apostle Paul gives us one of the clearest, richest pictures of who Jesus truly is — not only at Christmas, but for all eternity.

1. Jesus is God… IN Creation

(Colossians 1:15; John 1:18)

“He is the image of the invisible God…”

Jesus makes the unseen God visible.
To see Jesus is to see the heart, character, and nature of God.

“No one has ever seen God… he has made him known.” (John 1:18)

Truth: If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus.

2. Jesus is God… OVER Creation

(Colossians 1:15)

“The firstborn of all creation…”

This does not mean Jesus was created.
It means He holds supremacy and authority over all creation.

Truth: Jesus is preeminent — higher than all things, ruler over all things.

3. Jesus is God… OF Creation

(Colossians 1:16–17)

“All things were created by Him, through Him, and for Him…”

Paul shows us four truths about Christ and creation:

• Jesus is the SOURCE of all creation

(Colossians 1:16)
Everything that exists finds its origin in Him.

• Jesus is the AGENT of all creation

(Colossians 1:16; John 1:3; Hebrews 1:1–2)
God created through the Son.

• Jesus is the GOAL of all creation

(Colossians 1:16; Philippians 2:9–11)
All of history moves toward the glory of Christ.

• Jesus is the SUSTAINER of all creation

(Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3)

“In Him all things hold together.”

Jesus is the sustaining power of the universe — keeping chaos from collapsing creation.

4. Jesus is God… FOR the Re-Creation

(Colossians 1:18–20)

Jesus did not stop at creating the world — He came to redeem it.

Paul shows us how Christ brings new creation through:

• His RULE

“He is the head of the body, the church.”

• His RESURRECTION

“The firstborn from the dead.”

• His RECONCILIATION

“Making peace by the blood of His cross.”

Truth: Christmas is not just about a birth — it’s about redemption.

Summary

This is the miracle of the mystery:

Jesus is Immanuel — God with us.
God in creation.
God over creation.
God of creation.
God for the re-creation.

And He came not just to be near us — but to make peace with us through the cross.

Closing Question:
Do you know the mystery of Christmas…
Do you know Immanuel?