For Advent, we take out our songbooks and start singing hymns. Our instinct is exactly right. When St. Paul starts talking about the coming of Christ, he, too, bursts into song. One of the most ancient Christian hymns (Col 1:15-20) is the outcome of the apostle's urge to sing praise to the one who became flesh on Christmas Day. One item is particularly worth pondering in this song: it is the twofold title that Paul gives to the Son of God. He is both the "firstborn over all creation" and he is the "firstborn from among the dead." Christmas has to do with both. We rightly sing because of the second title. Incarnation leads to cross and resurrection, and so to redemption and peace. As firstborn from among the dead, Christ is our Redeemer. But we should not forget to sing also because of the first title, for it is the "firstborn over all creation" who becomes incarnate. The story of Advent only makes sense against the backdrop of eternity. The only reason why the "firstborn from among the dead" is able to bring salvation is that he is also the "firstborn over all creation." He is Redeemer of the world only because he is also its Creator.
Gracious Lord, we praise you for your marvelous grace. That you, the Creator of the world, should come to us, to redeem us! That in and through yourself you should raise us to eternal life! Again, we wait for you, our Alpha and Omega, our beginning and our end. Amen.
