The Fullness and Forgiveness of God
Aaron Lee | FCBCW AWANA | December 15, 2023 | Colossians 1:19-20
What makes the Christmas story special? Some of you are familiar with the story. You know all of the details and facts. You might know the strange and unusual circumstances, like how Jesus was born to Mary in a manger Bethlehem. You might know the surrounding details, like how the wise men found him, and you might even know what gifts they brought him. But is this all that there is to the Christmas story? What is it that makes the Christmas story special?
I want to take us to the book of Colossians. The book was written by the Apostle Paul. And while this isn’t a typical text for Christmas, I think it reveals the heart of the Christmas story. We’ll see 2 truths about Jesus that make the Christmas story special:
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. (Colossians 1:19–20)
1. The fullness of God
The first truth about Jesus that makes the Christmas story special is that the fullness of God is found in him. The fullness of God means that Jesus is totally, completely God. The entire essence, character, and nature of God is found in the person of Jesus. The Old Testament would often talk about the fullness of God filling the temple, and this would typically refer to his glory. Jesus is fully God and fully glorious. And he came to be with us.
How can you bring God’s presence to others? God is a light in the darkness. Christians should also be little lights of the world. Do you know someone who is lonely or who doesn’t have many friends? Do you know someone who needs special encouragement or help? Look to God and bring his presence to the people around you.
2. The forgiveness of God
The second truth about Jesus that makes the Christmas story special is that the forgiveness of God is found in him. Our verse says that through Jesus, we are reconciled. To reconcile means that a relationship is made right. There is a broken relationship between God and man. Jesus came to make that relationship right again. Specifically, he came to offer forgiveness for our sins. When Jesus was born, God’s plan for forgiveness was put into action.
Our God is a forgiving God. He took the first step to make things right with us when we were the ones who were wrong. So, will you learn to forgive others as well? When people have wronged you, will you seek reconciliation and forgiveness? Will you hope to make things right? Look to God as our example of what it means to forgive.
Jesus brings the fullness and forgiveness of God.
The Gospel
It’s important to remember that the Christmas story is not the climax. The cross is really the Good News of the Gospel. If you look at our verse, you see that peace only comes by the blood of Jesus’ cross. So while you might know the facts about Christmas, that is not enough to be a Christian. To be a Christian, you must come to the cross.
You must believe that yes Jesus, the son of God, was born as a baby, but this baby grew up to be a man without sin. He would die on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. And then he came back to life again, proving that he has conquered sin and death and Satan. If you believe this, and if you make Jesus your King, you will have eternal life with him here on earth and in Heaven.
Behold the Lamb of God
What makes the Christmas story special? It’s not the strange and unusual circumstances. It’s not the surrounding details. What makes the Christmas story special is the little baby boy who brings the fullness and forgiveness of God.
It’s easy to miss the point. Jesus is just a baby in the story, after all. He doesn’t do anything. The action is all around him. You have to look. You have to see him. You have to behold him. And when your heart is fixed on him, don’t look away:
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)
