23 Dec, 2023
We've almost made it! We're in the home stretch! Just a few days left until Christmas Day --the day when all of our waiting and preparation is rewarded. There is much to celebrate and be grateful for. Christmas holds that comfort and joy in knowing our savior is born. But, as you know, this time can also become all-consuming. And for reasons that are more worldly, than Godly. Christmas usually brings lots of hustle, bustle, and a fair amount of stress -- the errands, decorating, and baking, the gatherings to attend, and gifts to wrap. Even if our desire is to keep Jesus at the center of things and be present with family and friends, our best intentions may fall to the wayside as we get swept up in all the yuletide trappings of the modern day Christmas. And while it's true that we still find hope, love, peace and joy in the frenzy, there may be one theme of Christmas we miss the mark on too often: humility. When reading the story of Jesus' birth, one element we can't overlook is his humble arrival. Think about it; God could have stepped into creation with booming thunder, or roaring fire, for everyone to fear. Instead he chose the meekness and humility of entering in as a baby. A helpless baby born in a manger, surrounded by animals, to a poor family, with two young, scared parents and some shepherds in the field who are the first to find out. There was no Christmas tree with lights to shine upon him and twinkle at his majesty. No stockings hung by the chimney with care, or gifts -- at least not that first night. Nope. It all started with straw and dirt. Far from picture perfect. Yet that birth was everything the world needed. Jesus left his heavenly throne for a manger so that we could have a relationship with Him. And what's more interesting than his being born in a barn, is that he deliberately chose the path of humility his entire life. He became a simple carpenter, never sought celebrity status or power, he asked people to keep his miracles quiet, became friends with outcasts, and was willingly led to the cross to die for the very people who nailed him to it. What can we learn about the love of a God who would humble himself this way? Maybe the message for us this Christmas, as we consider the straw and dirt, is how we can humble ourselves too, before God and each other. "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility , gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:12-15 As you scramble to get the house ready for company, as you bump around the crowds to grab those last minute gifts, as you gather around the table with family members who insist on bringing up divisive issues...remember Jesus. The man who's crib was just a dusty trough. The man who didn't need fanfare or finer things. T he man who didn't tell people off or need to have the last word. The man who gave everything of himself, even when people were being the worst. And maybe, just maybe, as we all try to clothe ourselves in humility like our savior, there will be a new way in which the world sees Jesus during Christmas -- through us, his humble followers.