December 22nd

Day 22

Hebrews 1:1-6

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last
days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also
created the worlds. He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being,
and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat
down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the
name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.



The Son Is Superior to Angels
For to which of the angels did God ever say,
'You are my Son;
today I have begotten you'?
Or again,
'I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son'?
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,
'Let all God's angels worship him.'

As we look towards Christmas Day, this reading gives us a hint of the celebration to come. The
writer of Hebrews wants to reflect exactly who the Christ is and chooses these descriptions:

• The heir of all things
• Through whom the world was created
• The brightness of the Father's glory
• The exact imprint of God's very being
• Upholder of all things by his powerful word
• Himself purged our sins
• Sits at the right hand of God the Father

How can we not want to celebrate the coming of such a being? And surely we want to bring
others to know Jesus, the Christ, and celebrate with us. As individuals, as a church, as a Circuit
are we not bidden to bring others into the knowledge of our Saviour?

At the very start of this passage we read that "long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and
various ways by the prophets", and today God still speaks to us in many and various ways by the
prophets.

We have been given the gift of a Circuit prayer as we look forward to what God is asking of us as
individuals, as a church and as a Circuit. Part of this prayer says, "Speak to us through the
prophets of this age who are doing your will working in our communities as well as in our
churches".

Prayer
May we have the humility to seek out those prophets, listen to their wise words and act on them.
Amen.