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The Message of Christmas 12/8/23
share“The Message of Christmas” will be the theme of the next 17 days. Let me posit this as the central theme for Christmas this year. . .
Lower ourselves to lift others up.
This principle can be and has been applied in many different contexts, but in the Christmas story, we find its foundation.
Philippians 2 gives us the key to this commitment:
“…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.”
and then the example that we follow to fulfill these principles:
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”
God ~ THE God ~ lowered himself to take on the form of His creation. Which form did He choose? A dominant, important form?
No, He became a servant, a servant of no reputation, and He served. He lowered Himself to lift us up. He obeyed the will of His Father and submitted to the cross.
This is the example to follow in every area of our lives.
Do we esteem our spouses better than ourselves? Our children? Our parents? Our employer? Our employees? Do we look out for the “things” of their lives or only our “things”?
Are we asking “How can the people around me serve me better?” or “How can I serve them better?”
Do we serve joyfully or grudgingly? Is it just a seasonal attitude or a lifetime commitment?