Recall your favorite Christmas memory. Which of the 4 Advent themes does your memory most reflect - Hope, Peace, Love, Joy? What else makes the memory special?

Read Colossians 1:15-17. What is Jesus’ relationship to creation in these verses? Recall this morning’s sermon; what does Paul mean by employing the language of ‘firstborn’? (See Psalm 89:27 for help)

Read Colossians 1:18. What does it mean that Jesus is preeminent? What is the connection between Jesus’ lordship over creation and his headship of the new creation, the church?

Read vv19-20. Paul shifts in these verses from speaking about Jesus as creator to speaking of him as reconciler and peacemaker. How is Jesus’ death and resurrection connected to this ministry of reconciliation?

How does Jesus’ Lordship affect our sense of peace? Spend time worshipping him together as Lord of both the creation and the new creation.