Merry Christmas! I pray that you reflected on the wonderful incarnation of Jesus and are spending an amazing day with family and friends. Today we’ll keep it short so you can continue enjoying your day. We’ll look at the resounding words of Luke 2:7:
“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
The use of the word “firstborn” here is important. Ever since Genesis and Exodus God instituted a double portion of inheritance and becoming the family patriarch to the firstborn son. In Colossians 1:15 Jesus is named “the first-born of all creation” which speaks of His preexistence and He is also named the “image of the invisible God,” which speaks of His deity.
In the same way that Jesus was the firstborn of Mary (further evidence that she was a virgin), He was the firstborn of God, not as a created being but as creating beings. Jesus’ double portion and claiming God’s patriarchy is comforting. In Revelation 1:4 it says Jesus is the “firstborn of the dead.” Jesus died on the cross for our sins and was the first to rise from the dead by His own power, so He was the “firstborn of the dead.” This Christmas we remember Jesus had to be the firstborn Son 2,000 years ago so that He could be the firstborn of the dead to redeem us from our sins! Merry Christmas!
godsheartblog 