Colossians 1:15-20 NLT: 15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see-such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. 17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. 18 Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. 19 For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20 and through him God reconciled everything to himself.

1. Christ is the center of WORSHIP.

• In heaven, He is surrounded by angels worshiping; when He came to earth, He was surrounded by angels and humans worshiping Him.
• Matthew 2:11 NLT: They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
• Who or what has your greatest attention this Christmas?
• What are you ORBITING around right now? If the earth orbits the sun, what do you orbit?
• This Christmas, I challenge you to dethrone anything that is getting your praise, obsession, thoughts, and affection more than Christ.

2. Christ is the center of OPPOSITION.

• From the moment Jesus was born, people were trying to kill Him. Jesus was an extremely polarizing figure and still is. He is the dividing line between good and evil, light and darkness.
• Matthew 2:16 NLT: Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men's report of the star's first appearance.
• Luke 2:34-35 NLT: 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby's mother, "This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul."
• He came to set up a kingdom. You can either join His kingdom or be in opposition to His kingdom.
• Matthew 12:30 NLT: Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me.
• Commit to joining the CAUSE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

3. Christ is the center of HOPE.

• Throughout His life, He was surrounded by people with serious needs. He was the only hope to many who suffered from medical conditions, emotional distress, or spiritual ignorance.
• Matthew 12:21 NLT: And his name will be the hope of all the world.

4. Christ is the center of RECONCILIATION.

• Although Christ is a polarizing figure, He is also a reconciler. All who will come to Him and see others through His sacrifice can be reconciled and walk in peace.
• Colossians 1:20 NLT: And through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross.
• Ephesians 2:14, 16 NLT: 14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. ...16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.