Firstborn

Biola University's Advent Calendar is a treasure chest of theology and art. My meditation this morning is on God as the Creator of all things, and Jesus as the Firstborn of all creation. The devotion is centered on three verses, particularly Paul's powerful words in the passage below:

Colossians 1:15–18 (NKJV)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Kei Miller's poem, "The Book of Genesis," resonates with me on so many levels. I admire poets and their skill to piece together words and phrases to evoke meanings of various kinds. His poem reminds me of the powerful "Let there be..." of God in creation. God's power, creativity, and care in envisioning and crafting the world unleashed into the yet timeless void, for us to relish today. Interestingly the Jamaican poet's words also remind me of possibility and potential. The year 2025 is coming to a close; we will behold 2026 in a few days. What is God's Let for me next year?

Suppose there was a book full only of the word,
let – from whose clipped sound all things began: fir
and firmament, feather, the first whale — and suppose
we could scroll through its pages every day
to find and pronounce a Let meant only for us —
we would stumble through the streets with open books,
eyes crossed from too much reading; we would speak
in auto-rhyme, the world would echo itself — and still
we’d continue in rounds, saying let and let and let
until even silent dreams had been allowed.

 Octavio Javier Esqueda, who pieced together poetry, art, and music, wrote: 

Our God is more than the creator of everything that exists; our Lord always sustains the universe. God’s providence means that Christ preserves all things, and He is always in control of everything. When we proclaim that Jesus is Lord, we recognize that, regardless of our fears, concerns, and tribulations, we can trust in him. Every new day stands as a reminder that the sovereign God of the universe continues to show us his favor and grace.