A Christlike Christmas

Though He was rich . . . He became poor.

2 Corinthians 8:9

Poor, distraught Johnny. It was Christmas morning, and he had opened the last of his eleven presents. There wasn’t a twelfth one, and he felt as deflated as a leaky hot water bottle. How strange that our culture has turned Christmas inside out, making it a frenzy of materialism.

Christmas, to Jesus, meant selflessness. Though “in the form of God, [He] did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant” (Philippians 2:6–7).

Christmas, to Jesus, meant service. He came not to be catered to but to minister to others (Mark 10:45). He wasn’t as interested in being given to, as in giving. He gave Himself, and in giving Himself, He gave His all.

Christmas, to Jesus, meant submission. In claiming to be “sent” from heaven, He implied His obedience to the Sender—His Father. And Christmas, to Jesus, meant sacrifice. His birth set the stage for Calvary.

God’s people must reverse the trends of our culture and begin seeing our Lord’s birth as He saw it. Can you think of a way in which you can be a selfless, submissive, sacrificing servant today?

If so, you’ve got a divine corner on Christmas.