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At Christmas, we don’t just celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. We also honor the profound truth that He is the Firstborn of all creation. This concept is usually overlooked. But the truth is, it’s foundational to the New Testament and enriches our understanding of the Christmas story. That said, let’s take a closer look at this doctrine’s significance for our faith and the world.
Christ Is The Firstborn of a New Creation
The New Testament declares Jesus as the Firstborn. Romans 8:29 describes Him as the “firstborn among many brothers.” In Colossians 1:12-18, Paul emphasizes that Christ’s preeminence in creation is rooted in His role as the Firstborn. This term does not refer to physical birth alone but to His place as the head and heir of God’s new creation.
The old humanity, descended from Adam, is destined for death and separation from God. In 1 Corinthians 15:22, we are reminded that “in Adam all die.” But through Christ, the new Adam, comes eternal life and the promise of an everlasting inheritance. Hebrews 12:23 calls the church the “assembly of the firstborn,” meaning that believers share in Christ’s eternal inheritance. His birth heralds the beginning of this new humanity.
All Of Creation Sustained by Christ
Paul tells us in Colossians 1:16-17, “By Him, all things were created… and in Him, all things hold together.” Christ is not only the Creator but the one who sustains the universe. Everything… visible and invisible, earthly and heavenly… finds its purpose and coherence in Him. Without Him, there is no meaning or direction.
This truth transforms our perspective. The Christmas story isn’t just a heartwarming tale of a baby born in a manger. It’s the Creator entering His creation to redeem and restore it. Jesus, the Firstborn, came to reconcile all things to Himself, and this reconciliation begins with His birth.
Gift-giving mirrors God’s grace: ‘On this day, to us came forth the gift, although we asked it not.’ — St. Ephraim. Just as God gave His Son, we give to reflect His boundless love.
The Christmas Tree and the Tree of Life
The early church saw the Christmas tree as a powerful symbol of Christ. Just as the evergreen tree remains vibrant through winter, it serves as a powerful reminder of our eternal life in Jesus. Originally, fruit or decorations resembling fruit, were common on Christmas trees. The Christmas tree pointed to Christ as the Tree of Life, described in Revelation 22:2 as bearing fruit all year long. This symbolism should fill us with hope and reassurance.
Some still argue that the Christmas tree is rooted in paganism, which really reflects a misunderstanding of church history. Early Christians used the tree to symbolize Christ’s unchanging nature and life-giving power. St. Ephraim of Syria, a fourth-century church father, referred to Christ as the “Tree of Life” and saw Christmas as the “feast of the Firstborn.”
Gift-giving, too, has its roots in this understanding. Ephraim wrote, “On this day, to us came forth the gift, although we asked it not.” Because God gave the gift of His Son, Christians began to give gifts, especially to the needy and children, as a reflection of God’s grace.
Christ’s Preeminence in All Things
In Colossians 1:18, Paul declares that Christ has “preeminence in all things.” The Greek word for preeminence is proteuo, which means “to hold the first place.” As the Firstborn, Jesus holds authority over all creation and, of course, the church. He is the head of the Ekklesia, a term that encompasses worship and every area of life under His dominion… family, work, government, and more.
Christ’s headship is also absolute. Unlike human institutions that continue after the death of their leaders, the very existence of creation depends on Christ. Without Him, nothing would exist. In Him, all things consist, and His lordship extends to every sphere of life. This truth should fill us with a profound sense of confidence in our faith.
The Firstfruits and the Firstborn
The Bible often links the ideas of firstfruits and firstborns. In the Old Testament, the firstfruits of the harvest were offered to God as a sign that the entire harvest belonged to Him. Similarly, Jesus is called by Paul the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). His resurrection guarantees the resurrection of all who belong to Him.
In the early church, the firstfruits of grain and grape were brought to communion as an offering to the Firstborn, Jesus Christ. This practice symbolized that everything, including our lives and labor, belongs to Him. In years past, once adorned with fruit, the Christmas tree also carried this meaning: the firstfruits belong to the Firstborn.
Christ’s Cosmic Lordship
At Christmas, we celebrate Christ as more than a baby in a manger. He is the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of all things. His birth marks the beginning of a new creation, and His resurrection secures the promise of eternal life.
Paul’s words in Colossians 1:16-18 remind us of Christ’s cosmic lordship:
“For by Him all things were created… and in Him all things hold together.”
This includes us. Every detail of our lives is part of His eternal purpose. The world does not exist for our benefit, nor do we live for ourselves. Our lives and all creation point to Christ and His redemptive mission.
The Reason For Hope At Christmas
This Christmas, remember that Jesus is the Firstborn of creation and the firstfruits of the resurrection. His birth, life, death, and resurrection declare His lordship over all. Let the evergreen tree remind you of His eternal life, and let your giving reflect the greatest gift of all… God’s gift of His Son.
In celebrating Christ, the Firstborn, we proclaim the hope of new life, the promise of resurrection, and the eternal reign of our Lord. All things were made by Him, through Him, and for Him… and in Him, all things hold together.
