“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset/attitude 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! Phil. 2:5-11
Lord Jesus, in the Apostle Paul’s account of your birth, there’s no harking angels, fearful shepherds, or awe-filled parents; no stable, manger, or straw. There’s “just” you—in the humility of your incarnation, the grace of your servanthood, and the glory of the Gospel.
Most holy and glorious mystery… though you never ceased being God, you truly became man—the God-man, the “Yes” to every God-promise (2 Cor. 1:20), the King of the cosmos cradled in a stable, the Bread of life nursing for his nourishment.
Living as our law-fulfiller, dying as our guilt-taker, raised as our justifier, ascended as our mediator, reigning as our King, coming again as our Bridegroom… of all people, we are most blessed.
How then shall we live? We the “most blessed,” should be the most humble, generous, and kind—the most likely to take the low place of servant love, not the high place of personal gain. By your grace and for your glory, we should be quickest to forgive, repent, and encourage… in every relationship you’ve placed us.
Make it so, Lord Jesus, So very Amen we pray, in your wonderful and merciful name.
