Creation
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. (Luke 2:6-7, NIV)
In many ways, the conception and birth of Jesus mirror the creation story in Genesis. The earth was “formless and empty,” as was the Virgin Mary’s womb. And just as God’s Spirit “hovered over the waters” in Genesis 1:2, so God’s Spirit “overshadowed” Mary’s womb.
John tells us in his gospel that “in the beginning was the Word” and that “the Word became flesh.” (Jn. 1:1, 14, NIV) In doing so, he links the creation account in Genesis with the birth of Mary’s firstborn in the stable in Bethlehem.
In Colossians 1:15, Jesus is described as “the firstborn (prototokos) over all creation. Luke (which was written after Colossians) uses this same word as he describes Mary giving birth to her “firstborn.”
The New Testament is filled with images of birth and creation -
You must be born again. (John 3:3)
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. (2 Cor. 5:17)
What counts is the new creation. (Gal. 6:15)
The whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. (Rom. 8:22)
As you celebrate the birth of Christ this Christmas, take time to reflect on the truth that creation is found in and revolves around that babe born in Bethlehem. And remember that someday every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord over it all. (Philip. 2:10-11)
In Christ,
Dan
‘Tis the season to celebrate God’s new creation in Christ.
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