This email I received from Pastor Paul Chappell today and I believe it is a great post for all of us to consider this week!
Humble During the Holidays
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2:2-11
Share the love of Christ through being humble as Jesus was humbled for you.
The story is told of a little girl who was so excited for Christmas. After she had finished opening her presents, her parents asked her if she received everything she wanted. The little girl looked around at the gifts sitting before her and looked up at her parents to reply, “Well, no, but I didn’t expect everything. After all, it’s not my birthday.”
Sometimes amidst all the festivity of the season, we can forget the true celebration of the season. It’s not about presents or decorations. It’s about remembering the birth of Christ that provided God’s gift of salvation.
The story of the first Christmas has so much more meaning than simply a story of the birth of another child. Every detail points to the humble beginnings of the Son of Almighty God. Consider the detail of the swaddling clothes wrapped around Jesus after he was born: “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).
Swaddling clothes were most often used to wrap bodies after death in preparation for burial. Because Joseph and Mary were forced to lodge in a stable they had to use whatever was near to keep their new baby warm on a cold night. So they found some swaddling clothes and wrapped him as a body would be wrapped for burial on His first night in this world.
At Jesus’ birth, we are reminded of His death. He didn’t come into the world as a mighty prince, though He deserved it. His birth wasn’t heralded or celebrated by the masses. The very Creator of the world was born in a stable, surrounded by animals, and wrapped in swaddling cloths.
As Philippians 2 points out, Jesus humbled Himself to come to this world and die for our sins. As you read the Christmas story this year, remember how much Jesus humbled Himself for you. He could have had the greatest entry into the world He created, but He chose a humble beginning.
Remember to display humility as you enjoy this season. Many will focus on presents and receiving gifts, but make a priority of being humble this time of year. Go out of your way to help someone less fortunate, and share the love of Christ through being humble as Jesus was humbled for you.
