In all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, the world has lost sight of its true meaning. Christ came to this earth not to take but to give. He did not come to be served—but to serve. He did not come to make a name for Himself—He came to give His name to others.
Much of Christmas today is focused on self—a time when I can relax, when I get the gifts that I desire, and when I can eat the food that I want. Oftentimes, Christmas vacation can break down into misery. “I didn’t get the gift that I wanted!” “Why do I have to take out the trash?” “Why do we have to go to the Christmas Eve service?”
How great is the contrast between this and the example of the One Whom Christmas is all about! Paul says that Jesus “humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Christ didn’t come to this earth because of His pride. He came because of His love! He didn’t come to this earth to do what He wanted to do. He came in obedience to His Father! And because of that, He has given us the great gift of everlasting life. Ought we not follow the example of our Savior and share in His humility and obedience this Christmas season? The greatest gifts a child can give to a parent are humility and obedience. The greatest gifts that we can give to our heavenly Father are humility and obedience to Him.
I trust that you will have a merry (and a humble and obedient) Christmas!