Perhaps the most familiar pictures of Christ in our culture, broadly speaking, are the traditional associations of Jesus with Christmas time. The manager scene is magical and tender, the kings, shepherds, and various characters of the nativity lend themselves to great costumes for kids plays. Strains of “Away in a Manger” or “Silent Night” sound great when the lights are low and the fire is bright. I wonder how many of us contemplate, during this season, where and who Christ was before the Christmas story unfolded in time and where He resides yet today, not to mention the comprehensive decree of the Triune God fulfilled in the incarnation. So many of the New Testament books begin with a triumphal proclamation of the person and work of the full orbed Jesus Christ/Messiah/Eternal Son – (John 1, Hebrews 1, Ephesians 1, Revelation 1), and our text today: Colossians 1:15-20. These 'before and after' pictures of the hero of Christmas provide necessary perspective so often lost on mere tradition and sentimentality. Let us turn to Colossians where the apostle grants us a sneak peak via the immortal words of revelation behind the curtain of eternity into the Kingdom of God's Beloved Son in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins...