"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making 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.

For to which of the angels did God ever say,
“You are my Son,
    today I have begotten you”?

Or again,
“I will be to him a father,
    and he shall be to me a son”?

And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,
“Let all God's angels worship him.”

Of the angels he says,
“He makes his angels winds,
    and his ministers a flame of fire.”

But of the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
    the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
    with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

And,
“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands;
they will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment,
 like a robe you will roll them up,
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you are the same,
    and your years will have no end.”

And to which of the angels has he ever said,
“Sit at my right hand
    until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?"
- Hebrews 1: 1 - 14

It is an unofficial tradition in our family to watch Lord of the Rings around Christmastime. One of the characters, Aragorn, is introduced as a helpful ranger who protects the hobbits. We discover his strength, wisdom, and goodness throughout the story - but it is only when it is revealed that he is the heir to the throne - the promised King - that we see Him fully. In the same way, we only understand Jesus when we see Him in the context of the whole story – He is creator at the beginning, saviour at the cross and Lord to the end. Hebrews wants us to zoom out and see that Jesus is the final revelation of God.

It is only after having seen this full picture that we can zoom in and appreciate the wonder of Christmas: the cosmic King in the cradle. God has never been known this well before - this clearly and this closely. We need to hold the infinite and the intimate together to grasp the incarnation and the comfort it brings. Jesus, our Lord who died for us, is at the right hand of God. He is for us and therefore all the resources of heaven are for us. Even the angels are now servants of those He has chosen! And as Gandalf would say: ‘that is an encouraging thought’.

- Josh & Kat Luke