Our Humble God by Sara Bouska

This is the Christmas miracle: This all-powerful God came down to the Earth as a baby. This is our humble God.

Philippians 2:5-8
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

There was nothing in it for Jesus to come to this Earth. He left the comfort and the glories of heaven to live among a people he loved so dearly, but did not love him in return. He who is everything (see Colossians 1:15-19) made himself nothing. He who should be served made himself a servant. He was born as a baby. He was born in a stable.

He did this so that he might win our hearts.

Jesus transcended heaven knowing that God the Father’s will was that he die to save the people. In humility, he was obedient to his Father’s will. His life was not about himself; it was about us.

He did nothing for himself. He did nothing to be better than anyone or to look better than anyone. He simply came to save a hell-bound people. And so he was born into a poor family and died a horrific death. That is humility. That is love.

King Herod by Matt Crummy

Most people imagine a little baby in a manger when they picture the Christmas story in their minds. But what sticks out to me is King Herod. Sure, Joseph and Mary knew Jesus was a big deal. So did the shepherds and wise men. But King Herod must have been absolutely convinced that the newly born “King of the Jews” posed a threat to his own kingdom because he took such violent and extreme action.

Just the news of Jesus’ arrival was enough to assemble all of the chief priests and scribes of the people. Why? Because the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem would fulfill prophecy:

Matthew 2:1-6
...wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Later on, Herod ordered the killing of all male children two years old and under in Bethlehem and in all that region in an effort to kill Jesus. From the moment Jesus came into our world, people were trying to kill him.

His life was set before him like a book that had already been written—one that no one else could quite understand. Today we can see a clearer picture of his place in God’s bigger story. The baby who struck fear into the heart of Herod should kindle a healthy fear in us as well. Jesus’ supernatural power amidst humble beginnings ought to leave us in awe that such a powerful man could lead a perfect life with complete humility.

Word Became Flesh by Tim Laehn

The first chapter of John is about as oft-quoted as they come. But for me, it isn’t until Christmas rolls around that I think about the craziness of what’s being said.

John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

God’s Word became flesh. All of God’s promises, mercy, grace, power, holiness, glory, righteousness, humility, omnipotence, truth, and love came to Earth in the form of a helpless human baby, born in a dirty stable in Bethlehem. Just as crazy is the fact that the prophets foretold it.

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Not only did Jesus’ birth fulfill a prophecy, but it marked the start of a long line of prophecies that would be fulfilled through his life and death.

You see, God didn’t just become flesh through the life of Jesus, but that flesh dwelt among us. He loved the unlovable and laid down his life for the people around him. He was tempted in every way we are tempted. He cried. He felt pain. He was betrayed. He was killed.

Although Jesus was fully flesh and tempted in every way, we’re told he never sinned. For that reason, his death on the cross was the perfect sacrifice that paid the price for our sins. Therefore, it is with the cross in mind that we celebrate Christmas—knowing that without the birth, there couldn’t have been the death and resurrection that leads to salvation.