Christmas · The Nativity of Our Lord (Christmas Day) · Year B
Hebrews 1:1-6 (7-12)
The Son Superior to Angels
December 25, 2026
Overview & Insights
“In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” (Hebrews 1:2)
The magnificent opening verses of this passage provide an immediate expression of the author’s theological perspective: he moves from past revelation to definitive revelation, from God’s word to the OT “fathers” to his final word through his Son, Jesus Christ. He gives first his doctrine of Christ in order to set the tone for the entire book. The introductory christological prologue in these verses is thus similar to the prologue of the Fourth Gospel (John 1:1–18) in its function as well as in its christocentric theology. The author, however, does not want to present such an exalted Christology without first indicating that God’s word spoken in his Son is continuous with, and not alien to, what has preceded. What God has done in Christ is the climax of what he had begun to do in earlier times. And having finished the work of atonement, Christ enjoys an exalted status far superior to that of the angels.
From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.
Take it further
Commentary
Enduring Word Bible Commentary Hebrews Chapter 1 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik on God speaking by his Son, the radiance of God's glory, above the angels.
Commentary on Hebrews 1:1-4 [5-12] Working Preacher
Lutheran preaching commentary keyed to the Christmas Day epistle.
Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching commentary on the Son who is the exact representation of God's being.
Hebrews 1:1-2 Commentary Precept Austin
Verse by verse evangelical exposition with word studies on the opening of Hebrews.
Hebrews 1:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators gathered on God speaking in these last days by his Son.
Background & Word Study
Hebrews 1:1 Greek Text Analysis (Interlinear) BibleHub
Word by word Greek with parsing for the letter's opening declaration.
Hebrews - Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the sermon-letter's structure and Christology.
Book of Hebrews Overview BibleProject
Visual overview of Hebrews and its portrait of the superiority of Christ.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
How does Hebrews 1 present the Son?
The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of his nature, upholding all things, seated at God's right hand, far above the angels who worship him.
Prep at sermons.com
Ready to write?
- Full sermons on John 1:1-14 (15-18)
- Illustrations cleared for use in worship
- Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Trusted by pastors since 1995.
Free every Tuesday
Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox
The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.