Christmas is a time when families and friends get together to celebrate collective faith and connection. On the 25th, we remember that Jesus died for us and chose us over His Godly form, the ultimate demonstration of humility and empathy, for His people–us.
This Need Prayer post discusses how Jesus is a testament to God’s grace and humility, and how the story of Christmas demonstrates Jesus’ willingness to sink to humanity’s level to show us love. Moreover, we discuss how the scriptures describe Jesus’ love and humility when he came to be as a human.
What Does the Bible Say About Christmas?
The word Christmas stems from the words Christ and mass–a day and season to remember the birth of Jesus. Though the Bible doesn’t explicitly mention the 25th of December as the day Jesus was born, it does tell the story of his birth in Matthew 1:18-2:23 and Luke 1:26-2:40.
Christ’s birth is a testament to God’s humility–He chose to be born as a human in a barn, in a manger (a trough for animals to eat from) because there was no space in the inn.
The Story of Jesus’ Birth
Before Jesus was born, a man called Joseph had a dream where an angel came to him and told him that he would have a son called Jesus with a virgin called Mary. Mary had a similar dream.
Mary asked how this would come to be, and the angel explained that God could make anything possible, that even her elderly relative, Elizabeth was 6 months into her pregnancy, and that she should have faith.
In Roman times, Caesar decreed that he would take a census of the Roman world and that everyone was to travel to their villages of origin. Mary and Joseph travelled to Bethlehem at his request, where Mary went into labour.
There was no space in the inn for them, so Mary gave birth in a stable and wrapped Jesus in cloth.
In a nearby field, shepherds were watching over their sheep when an angel appeared to them and told them that a Messiah was born. The angel told them that they would find him in a barn in a manger wrapped in cloth. They went to Bethelem, saw Jesus, and told everyone that a Messiah had been born.
He grew up as a human boy in the village of Nazareth in Galilee, where he learnt carpentry and devoted himself to God.
Christmas and God’s Humility
Christmas is a prime example of God’s humility–that God chose to lower himself to our level to provide us with redemption and cleanse us of our sins. Philippians talks a great deal about God’s humility and how Jesus exemplified this by taking the form of a man.
Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV) says “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 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. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”
The King James version reads beautifully; “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Tangible Grace
The Passion translation of John 1:9-14 does a great job of expanding on this. It says, “For the perfect Light of Truth was coming into the world and shine upon everyone. He entered into the world he created, yet the world was unaware. He came to the people he created — to those who should have received him, but they did not recognise him.
But those who embraced him and took hold of his name he gave authority to become the children of God! He was not born by the joining of human parents or from natural means, or by a man’s desire, but he was born of God. And so the Living Expression became a man and lived among us! We gazed upon his glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father overflowing with tender mercy and truth!”
God’s “incarnation” allowed us to see Him and receive tangible grace.
Christmas, Humility, and Grace
This Christmas, be thankful for God’s humility and grace. Let’s take it upon ourselves to embody Jesus in all that we do; “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17 NIV.)
Let’s be kind, spread the Gospel, share the Word, and embody the fruits of the spirit.
If you would like someone to pray about Christmas or humility with, submit a prayer request or call Need Prayer for free at 0801 229 015. We would love to share the Word and His humility with you.