The Wonder of Peace

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ¹⁶ For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. ¹⁸ He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. ¹⁹ For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, ²⁰ and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. Colossians 1:15–20

 Advent is a season that’s closely tied to music—hymns, carols, and even melodies made popular through secular culture. In our home, Christmas music is so closely connected to the season that it isn’t allowed until after Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November). That rule exists largely because of me, and I tend to hold to it pretty firmly. The reason is simple: I don’t want to lose any of the wonder of the season.

Today’s passage from Colossians 1:15–20 is one of the earliest songs of the Church that we know of. It is a Christological (Christ-centered) hymn, meant to be sung in a way that shapes what we believe and reminds us where the wonder of life comes from. The song begins by giving glory to God, and it ends with peace being made with all creation. In many ways, that is why this passage resonates so deeply with me—it helps guard the wonder of Christ.

This hymn begins by emphasizing the supremacy of Christ—something that was being questioned by a segment of the religious community in Colossae. To establish Christ’s supremacy, Paul writes at the end of verse 16,

“…all things have been created through Him and for Him.”

There is only one who is worthy of Glory and that is God who is the Christ.

The second line, or verse, of this hymn—found in verse 18—states,

“He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.”

The word head used here can be understood in a couple of different ways. The most obvious is the anatomical sense, where the head is connected to the body. But it can also be understood as the source or origin of the church. That understanding fits well with the rest of the verse, where Jesus is described as the beginning and the firstborn from the dead. From Jesus, new life originates.

The climax, or chorus, of this hymn is found in verses 19–20, where Paul writes,

“For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross—through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”

I was reminded recently of a statement I made a couple of months back. I said that the greatest miracle ever was the incarnation of Christ. I was asked whether I believed this miracle overshadows creation itself. Certainly, my claim is subjective to a degree. Still, I would argue that even Paul recognizes here the supremacy of the incarnation. As this hymn reaches its climax, God the Father takes pleasure in Jesus being fully Himself. And we, in turn, find greater satisfaction in being made right with God than in the creative act alone. As amazing as creation is, the climax of all creation is Christ—God incarnate for our salvation.

What this hymn ultimately proclaims is a peace that moves from the divine to the personal. God was pleased to reconcile all things to Himself through Christ—a peace that spans heaven and earth, yet is meant to settle into real hearts.

Like Christmas music that heightens the wonder of the season, this hymn tunes our hearts to what is truly most important. It reminds us that peace is objective before it is emotional—accomplished by Christ through the blood of His cross before it is ever felt within us. When first place is reserved for Christ, peace follows.

Advent invites us to stop striving for peace and instead rest in the peace Christ has already made—preserving the wonder of Christ and allowing His peace to take root in us. Be sure to make room for Christ this Advent season so that you don’t miss the peace He has made for you.