Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 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. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
In the season of Advent, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Son of God entering time and space to bring the reign of his kingdom and begin the restoration of all things. In this season we also remember that as Jesus came, he is coming again. Hallelujah!
However, let’s not mistake Jesus’ entrance into time and space as any form of absence. Jesus has never been absent from his creation. Advent does not mean God was absent. Advent means the manifest establishment of the Kingdom of God has come.
Jesus is the second person of the Trinity, Creator God with Father and Holy Spirit, and he created all things for himself and his eternal purposes, and in himself, he holds all creation together.
The all-wise Creator Jesus, therefore, wired his universe to make a proclamation of his majesty and handiwork. General revelation, that is all creation witness to the reality of the Trinitarian God of the Bible. For eyes that see and ears that hear, creation draws us to delight in Jesus.
Psalms 19:1-2 (ESV) The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.
For some, this revelation of Jesus in his creation will only serve to condemn them at the judgment because they refused to believe the good news of Jesus and his kingdom, and creation will witness against them that Jesus is God and they refused to believe.
For those who believe we will only delight more in the glory of Jesus’ creation as we see and enjoy the Creator and creation together in the eternal kingdom.
So, as we celebrate Advent, don’t mistake Jesus’ coming for his absence. Creation proclaims, if we will listen, that Jesus is here and moving all of his creation to redemption in his manifest appearance, and if we have eyes to see and ears to hear we can delight in Advent all year long.
Celebrate Advent today and every day!
Theology in the Dirt 