Reflecting on From Eternity to the Manger

Hey Guys,

This Christmas Sunday, we gathered as a church family to celebrate the most remarkable gift humanity has ever received—the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Our sermon, titled "From Eternity to the Manger," centered on the opening verses of the Gospel of John (1:1-5), which invite us to reflect on the majesty of Christ from His eternal existence to His humble birth in a manger.

In this passage, John reveals profound truths about who Jesus is—truths that go beyond the nativity scene and invite us to see Christ in His full glory. We explored three key points during the sermon, each helping us understand the preeminence, power, and purpose of Christ in a deeper way.

The Preeminence of Christ (John 1:1-2)
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God."

John begins his Gospel with a bold declaration about the preeminence of Christ. From the very first verse, we learn that Jesus, the "Word" (Logos), existed before anything was created. He was not a later creation or a mere figure in human history; He is eternal. In fact, He was “with God” from the very beginning and was God Himself.

This truth is foundational to our understanding of who Jesus is. He is preeminent over all creation because He is the Creator. As we celebrated Christmas this year, we were reminded that the baby in the manger was not just a child; He was the eternal Son of God, the Creator of the universe, who chose to enter our world in the most humble of ways. His preeminence is not just a theological concept; it has real-world implications for how we understand His birth. The One who lay in the manger was the same One who created the stars in the sky, the oceans, and the mountains. His birth was not a mere historical event, but the arrival of the One who existed before time itself.

Reflecting on this truth during Christmas should lead us to awe and worship. The humility of the manger is magnified by the reality that Christ, the preeminent One, chose to enter our world in such a lowly way. It’s a reminder that His greatness is not defined by power or worldly glory, but by His willingness to serve and save us.

The Power of Christ (John 1:3)
"All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made."

John further reveals the power of Christ by stating that all things were created through Him. Jesus is not only preeminent, but He is also the source of all power. Everything in the universe, from the galaxies to the smallest atoms, was created by Him and through Him. His power is absolute and unlimited.

This power is also the source of life. John tells us that "in Him was life, and the life was the light of men." The very breath of life we take comes from Christ. The life that He gives is not just physical existence, but spiritual life—eternal life. Christ, as the Creator, has the power to give life, and He does so freely to all who come to Him.

On Christmas Sunday, we reflected on the power of Christ in a special way. As we considered His birth in a humble stable, it’s easy to overlook the enormity of the power at work. But Christ’s power is not displayed in force or might, but in His ability to enter the world in weakness and vulnerability. His power is shown in His love, His sacrifice, and His willingness to bring life and light into a dark world. As we sang Christmas carols and remembered the birth of our Savior, we were reminded that the One who holds the universe together with a word is the same One who humbled Himself to be born as a helpless child.

The Purpose of Christ (John 1:4-5)
"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

John also tells us the purpose of Christ: He came to bring light into the darkness. The light of Christ shines into the sin-darkened world, offering hope, salvation, and truth. Christ's birth in the manger marks the moment when the light of the world entered our world to dispel the darkness of sin, death, and despair.

Christ’s purpose was not to come as a conquering king who would dominate the world with His power, but to come as a humble servant who would offer light to those lost in darkness. He came to bring hope to the hopeless, healing to the broken, and salvation to the lost. His light is greater than any darkness, and no matter how deep the darkness may seem, it cannot overcome the light of Christ.

As we reflect on the purpose of Christ this Christmas, we are reminded that His coming was not just to be a cute baby in a nativity scene, but to bring life and light to a dark and dying world. The baby in the manger came to die on a cross and rise again, so that all who believe in Him might have eternal life. His purpose was, and continues to be, to bring light into our hearts, to shine in the darkness of our lives, and to offer us the gift of eternal life.

From Eternity to the Manger
As we reflected on John 1:1-5 this Christmas Sunday, we saw Christ in all His glory and majesty: the preeminent, powerful, and purposeful Savior who came into the world for our salvation. His eternal existence, His creative power, and His life-giving purpose should move us to worship and adoration.

The birth of Christ is not just a historical event—it is the fulfillment of God's eternal plan to save His people. From eternity past, the Son of God planned to come to earth as a baby, to live, die, and rise again, so that we might have life and light. As we reflect on His birth, let us remember not just the humble manger, but the eternal glory of the One who lay in it.
May this Christmas season be a reminder of the majesty of Christ, from eternity to the manger, and may we respond with hearts full of worship, gratitude, and praise for the Savior who came to bring us light and life.

Serving Him,

Bro. Joey