“‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end’” (Revelation 22:13, ESV).
“Wooden Block Letters—and the Babe in Bethlehem”
As a child you may have played with wooden blocks on which were carved the letters of the alphabet. You may have even tried, perhaps unsuccessfully, to spell out words using these letters. Or, like our family, you may have a set of brightly painted blocks on the fireplace mantel that spell out “Christmas.” What you may not have thought about is that these blocks are a great reminder of the One whose birth we celebrate at this time of the year.
In the last book of the Bible, Jesus Christ refers to Himself using two Greek letters, “I am the Alpha and the Omega…” (Revelation 22:13). Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet while Omega is the final one. These two Greek letters form an appellation (name or title) of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The use of this title for Jesus reminds us of His deity since it is also used of God the Father in Revelation 1:8; 21:6. The babe in Bethlehem was God!
The use of this name can also remind us of the intention and power of the Lord Jesus to carry out his Father’s plan. The Lord Jesus Christ is the beginning of all history and also the end or goal for whom all things are made. Someday, Christ will bring “his-story” to an end.
This appellation also reminds us of the eternal nature of Jesus Christ. The “alpha” does not mean He had a beginning, and the “omega” does not mean He will come to an end. Rather, He encompasses everything—this title signifies His eternality. The babe in Bethlehem that we celebrate this Christmas existed eternally with God the Father and will live forever.
Celebrate with me “the Alpha and Omega” babe in Bethlehem.