I am certain that I am not the only one who considers Christmas one of their favorite times of the year. As Andy Williams used to sing, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” There are so many traditions that make this time of the year special: decorating a Christmas tree, building a snow man, singing carols, kissing under the mistletoe, baking Christmas cookies, and wearing ugly sweaters, just to name a few. Most importantly, of course, is to remember that it is the season that celebrates Christ. This is certainly fitting, since that is what Christmas is all about: the birth of Jesus. Yet, as we celebrate Christmas, it is easy to equate Jesus’ birth with His “beginning”. 

Philippians 2:5-6 gives a perspective that can easily be overlooked. As Paul encourages his readers to humbly consider others as more important than themselves, the apostle presents the divine Jesus as their perfect pattern:

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped!

The newborn baby that was brought into this world on the floor of a stable, likely surrounded by animals, and then laid in a feeding trough is, in fact, God. He is the second person of the Trinity, co-equal and co-eternal with God, the Father and God, the Spirit. The Bible is very clear that the “history” of Jesus didn't begin in a little town called Bethlehem, but precedes “the beginning” of all creation. The first verse of the Bible begins with the following statement, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen 1:1). John begins his gospel with the exact same three words as he introduces Jesus to his readers: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jn 1:1). The Word refers to Jesus, who “… has explained Him [the Father]” (Jn 1:18, NASB). The Bible is straightforward about who Jesus is. He pre-existed all of creation, is the Creator of all that exists, and is “… the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power” (Heb 1:3).

To be sure and preclude any misunderstanding, the Bible includes further testimony from Jesus Himself and those who were eyewitnesses to His life and ministry. Jesus claimed, “… Whoever has seen me has seen the Father…” (Jn 14:9). He also foretold His death and resurrection by declaring that He would lay down His life and take it up again on His own accord and by His own authority (Jn 10:18). Then, after His resurrection, Jesus commissioned His followers to make disciples, claiming that “all authority in heaven and on earth” were His (Matt 28:18). Lastly, the Lord Jesus consistently referred to Himself by the personal, covenant keeping name of God revealed to Moses at the burning bush encounter - I AM (Ex 3:13-15). These are not claims that leave much to nuance or interpretation. They are statements that were understood by those listening and either violently rejected (Matt 26:63-68) or wholeheartedly accepted (Lk 2:25-32). Not surprisingly, we find in the Bible and in early church history that believers worshiped and prayed to Jesus, practices that were reserved for God alone by the predominantly Jewish followers of the Way. The divine identity of Jesus is not left ambiguous. The entire biblical account points to a divine Rescuer, who is Christ, the LORD!

This truth should overwhelm us with great joy! The implications of Jesus’ divinity are staggeringly wonderful! Consider for a moment that only God can save (Is 43:11). We are unable to save ourselves from the shackles and destruction of sin, yet Jesus is the divine Rescuer. Even His name, Jesus - meaning “Jehovah saves” - is a reminder of His ability to save. Rejoice, for Jesus is able! Even more reassuring is that His ability to save is moved to action by His compassion. The divine Jesus is “gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Ps 145:8). He is seeking to rescue and restore, having already given Himself on our behalf at the cross, and fully satisfying God, the Father’s righteous standard in the process. Rejoice, because Jesus is actively for you! Finally, only God is unchanging (Malachi 3:6). We are all guilty of changing our minds, altering our allegiances, and breaking our promises. Jesus, however, remains rock-solid in all of his attributes and commitments. We can be fully at peace, trusting Him completely. Rejoice, for “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Heb 13:8)!

It is worth rediscovering the joy of Christ’s divinity this Christmas. As a matter of fact, celebrate the Son of God with an undivided heart and great reverence every day of your life!

Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV) - He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.