Christmas: The Ultimate Example of Humility

In my last email I wrote about how we often forget that Jesus is God himself. Perhaps we loose that thought in the pictures of a baby in a manger. How can this little one be God, himself? The concept that God became man is what makes Christmas miraculous.

This passages speaks of Jesus and this miracle. Philippians 2:6-8:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (NIV)

Miraculously, God retained his nature, but also took on the nature of man when he came as Jesus. Theologically this called is a mystery, or a paradox. Jesus is fully man and fully God.

This scripture isn’t trying to explain the mysterious nature of Jesus as God and man, but is giving us a model by which to interact with others. A model of humility.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, Philippians 2:5,3-4

The encouragement here is clear: 

When you interact with others put them first like God has done with you. 

This passage is encouraging us to show humility with those we love AND with those who are difficult to love. 

We are not surprised when we think of putting our spouse, children, and grandchildren’s interest above our own.  Perhaps you do this everyday. We work to provide for them.  We arrange our schedules to spend time with them.  At Christmas they are the ones we spend extra time and money for the presents around the tree.

But what about those who don’t fit into that intimate group?  How do we treat the grumpy person at work that always complaining or the cashier that is exceptionally slow during the Christmas shopping rush? 

Pride looks to tear them down in our thoughts, words, and actions.  Humility “counts others more significant than yourselves”.  This is the humility that brought God himself down to earth to serve and love you and me.   

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 3:9 (ESV)

The ultimate form of sacrifice for others is giving your life for them.  Remarkably, this was always the mission of God in Christ for you and me.  He gave his life on the cross so we might have new life.  

The Christmas, as we interact with others at parties, work, and in the malls, make an effort to remember God’s humble position in becoming a man, then paying this price for you and me.  Then we are more likely to humbly love everyone we meet.

Blessings and peace,

Rev. Todd