9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.REFLECTIONSWritten by Isobel LinFullness. The word kind of sums up Christmas, doesn’t it? There’s that moment you wake up on Boxing Day and realise that you aren’t even the teensiest bit hungry - because you are still so full! Today’s verses remind us that the reason for all the eating – the incarnation – is about fullness too. The baby born in a manger was fully God.These verses follow on from Paul’s warning in verse 8 – “See to it that no-one takes you captive…”. How are the Colossians to guard against false teachings that appear attractive, reasonable, powerful and wise? Not surprisingly, the answer comes back to sticking with Christ.Verse 9 says: “in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form”. Sentimental nativity scenes which focus on mangers and fluffy sheep can dull our senses to this stunning truth – the immortal God took on mortal flesh! Paul specifically highlights that being fully God, Christ is “the head over every power and authority” (verse 10). Nothing and no-one trumps Christ! Who or what could possibly be more attractive, reasonable, powerful or wise than him?More amazing and mysterious is the truth that flows from this: “and in Christ you have been brought to fullness” (verse 10). Paul has a particular idea of the full Christian life here. Its source is Christ and we obtain it through our union with him - “in Christ”. Verse 11 says we were “circumcised by Christ”, which is not a physical cutting off but a spiritual one – not the removal of skin but sin. And unlike the physical cut, it’s not just for Jewish men but all who have faith in Christ. Verse 12 makes it even clearer that Paul is talking about the benefits of Jesus’ death and resurrection for believers – we have been “buried with him”and “raised with him”. If Christ was not fully God, then his death and resurrection could not fill us – because there would be no forgiveness for our sin, no peace with God.From Christ, who is fully God, flows the fullness of reconciliation with God. An old slogan comes to mind,No Christ, No Life Know Christ, Know LifeWhen our bellies are full and we feel satisfied, it makes unhealthy, sugary snacks seem less appetising. Similarly, when we truly appreciate thefullnessof all we have in Christ, all other things seem less attractive, reasonable, powerful or wise. We are satisfied in Christ. Especially as we remember the incarnation, let’s stick with the one who is fully God and who fills us completely, in every way that truly counts.ABOUT THE AUTHORIsobel is a member of our Bossley Park Morning Congregation.