the best Christmas gift

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In “the best Christmas gift” Jefferson Vann shares some thoughts about the gift of Jesus Christ, based on his translation of Hebrews 1:1-4.

In my Bible translation project, I am currently posting daily devotionals from Lamentations (until January 10th). I am writing and scheduling devotionals from Ezekiel, which will be posted from June to February, 2023. I am currently translating the book of Hebrews. Those texts will appear in devotionals starting in August of 2023. Today’s article is a sneak preview of the translation of the first section of Hebrews, with some comments on that text appropriate to the Christmas season.

Hebrews 1:1-4 (JDV)

Hebrews 1:1 Long ago God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at numerous times and in numerous ways.

Hebrews 1:2 During these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things and through whom he made the ages1.

Hebrews 1:3 The Son radiates God's glory and expresses his character and reality exactly, supporting all things by his powerful word. After making purification for failures,2 he took a seated position at the right hand of the Majesty upward.

Hebrews 1:4 He became so far better than the agents,3 just as the name he inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Jesus is the best Christmas gift because he sounds like the heavenly Father.

Of the two most popular Greek words to indicate speech, the word the author of Hebrews used here (in verses 1 and 2) is laleō (λαλέω). The word stresses the making of a sound. The prophets of ages past gave us God’s message, but Jesus was different. When he spoke, people could hear God’s voice.

When we give gifts at Christmas, we try to personalize them. It is important for us to not only express our appreciation to the person we are giving to, but also to express something of ourselves. Our heavenly Father did that when he gave us his Christmas gift: his unique Son. When Jesus spoke, his voice reflected the love and compassion of his Father. He also changed his tone and reflected the passion and justice of God when that was appropriate. Those who saw Jesus saw the Father, and those who heard him heard the Father. We don’t always understand the words of Jesus, but we can hear the divine family inflections in his voice

We can still hear that unforgettable voice when we read the red letters. We echo the words of the officers who chose not to arrest Jesus. They returned without him because they said “no one ever spoke like this man” (John 7:46). The chief priests and Pharisees wanted to silence him, but those officers couldn’t do it. They heard his voice and were convinced that his was not a voice they could silence.

Even during his lowest humiliation, we saw the Glory of God in him.

When we give at Christmas, we want to give quality gifts. Even if the gift is something used for mundane purposes, we want the recipient to know that they received a quality gift.

You would expect the divine Son of God to be revered and honored by all, but that is not what happened. He had a mission to accomplish, and that mission required his humiliation. The mission is described in this text as “making purification for failures” (3). The failures were not his own. They were ours. We had accumulated thousands of years of personal failures, and each one kept us from living life permanently. But to make purification for our failures, we needed not a divine warrior, but a sinless sacrifice. So, our Christmas gift came in a plain, brown paper package, tied up with rugged twine. He wasn’t dressed up, he dressed down. He wasn’t found in Herod’s palace. Some shepherds found him lying in a cattle trough.

He who had been exalted higher that the angelic agents was humiliated to a position lower than them – for a short time (Hebrews 2:7). The divine voice was temporarily heard through the vocal chords of a crying, babbling baby. But people still came to worship him. They could still recognize the voice. Somehow, even in his times of lowly humiliation, people could still see God’s glory in him. The Word had become flesh, and when we saw that flesh, we saw his glory – the glory of the one who came from the Father (John 1:14).

Even at his lowest humiliation – when our Lord was crucified naked on a stake – a sight that would normally cause anyone to turn away in disgust and shame – his glory shown through. The centurion who witnessed that tragedy stood in front of him, saw how he died, and declared “Truly this man was God's Son!” (Mark 15:39). Even during Christ’s lowest humiliation, we saw the Glory of God in him. The quality of the gift shone through.

He is the gift that keeps on giving!

When we plan our giving at Christmas, we often know that the gifts we give will not last. Food is eaten, clothing wears out or becomes too small, toys are broken. We keep trying to find gifts that will last longer.

Christ is the gift that keeps on giving! He existed before his incarnation. He was the divine Son of God through whom the ages were made (2). His giving for us began at creation, but it is not completed yet. This gift who was given to us on the first Christmas has another mission. The one who was humiliated and killed for our sins was also raised and exalted. He is no longer lower than the angelic agents. He has been restored to his rightful position at his Father’s side. There is yet a greater gift to come. The one who came to die for us will come again. He “will appear a second time, not to bear failure, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (9:28). This king of our hearts must take his place as the king of kings and lord of lords. This gift who brought us peace with God will bring peace to the universe by making all things new.

This wonderful Christmas gift who revealed himself to us on the first advent has some more giving to do. He plans to give us a permanent life to replace these temporary ones we now live. That is why we Advent Christians can be even more joyful during this advent season. We have a gift that will never wear out – a gift that will be appreciated even more as the ages pass. We have a hope that looks beyond the babe in a manger – even beyond the Savior on the cross. We have been given the gift of a glorious coming King and citizenship in his permanent kingdom.