‘These will be his royal titles.’ Isaiah 9:6 TLB Jack Hayford writes: Who is this Babe of Bethlehem…who became flesh…who called forth songs of angels…this Christ of Christmas?…the answer comes back with ringing authority…He is the Redeemer – “in whom we have redemption” (Colossians 1:14 NKJV). We who believe on His name have been “qualified” (v. 12 NKJV), “delivered” and “conveyed” (v. 13 NKJV) into a new…kingdom, by…a price once-paid to secure our freedom, potential, and fellowship. He is the Revealer – “the image of the invisible God” (v. 15 NKJV). The veil of mystery is removed…no one need wonder what He is like – His Son Jesus has come to disclose His heart, His nature, His ways, His very being. Christ reveals all of the Father we could ever want to understand (see John 14:9). He is the Creator – “by Him all things were created” (Colossians 1:16 NKJV). All things – in heaven and earth – were made…for His use, pleasure, and glory. He is the Sustainer – “in him all things consist” (v. 17 NKJV). He, the Word, spoke all things into existence (see John 1:3)…and “upholds all things by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1:3 NASB). Just as He creates (see Hebrews 11:3), so He keeps. He is the Leader – “the head of the body, the church” (Colossians 1:18 KJV). He gained this position by reason of His proven power and authority demonstrated in His resurrection. He who created all beings and powers (see v. 16) confined Himself within His own creation and voluntarily submitted to death (see Philippians 2:6-9). But to the dismay of hell, He rose from the dead, gave birth to the Church, and is now Lord over all.’