Christ’s Amazing Humility and Love

Humble

Christmas Day

December 25 

Christ’s amazing humility shows us His amazing love 

and our deep need for a Savior.

Christmas Day presents us with a great moment to step out of the warm-and-fuzzy Christmasy-ness of Christmas, and back into the dirt, the noise, and the humility of the manger. God—the God who is transcendent and immanent—comes into earth as one of us, and chooses to do it by being born to social scorn. He was born to a single mother, slept among filthy animals, and was celebrated only by dirty shepherds and foreign mystics. God stepped with both feet into human history, and hardly anyone noticed. This great humility of God should move us in two ways—first, to gratitude for a love this great and second, to our own humility and confessing again how in need of a Savior we truly are.

Today’s passages are Luke 2:4-7 and Philippians 2:5-8

Here are some other ways you can put your faith into practice with this week’s focus of “Humble.”

For Adults

Humble yourself this week by serving others in need. Schedule time to work at a food bank, soup kitchen or another organization that works to address poverty. While there, ask for a tour and more information about what the organization does—come to really understand and fully empathize with those who are hurting. What would it look like to serve those with need throughout the year? During this week, consider where you recognize your humble Savior.

For Teens

Research more about Mary—she was most likely a teen just like you! Learn more about her culture and how an unwed teen mother would have been viewed by her people. Reflect on what it means that Jesus was purposefully born into that situation. Then, share what you’ve learned with someone else—either in conversation or over social media. Consider being creative and making a video or series of photo edits. Use this week to share the good news that Jesus is a humble savior! #ualcgodwithus

For Kids

Help your kids learn more about people who are hurting or in need here in Columbus or somewhere around the world. Consider sponsoring a child (through one of many Christian aid organizations) with money your child receives from chores, or consider helping them come up with the funds for sponsoring. But don’t just start sending money—use the opportunity to help your child write letters and get to know a kid just like them!

—Aaron Thompson & David White

The Messiah will be born of a virgin

 December 24

Scripture Reading

Read Luke 1:26-38 and reflect on the passage.

Sharing the “extraordinary” with people you love is one of the great joys in life. But life is not a string of unceasing extraordinary moments. In fact, those brilliant moments are often surrounded by less glamorous events or seasons.

One evening in college, for no reason whatsoever, I found myself feeling as if I were drowning in a sea of anxiety and sorrow. I can’t even tell you why, but I picked up the phone and blubbered something through tears and sobs to my dad. Do you know what he did? He—likely all settled in for the night—left his home to travel to the college campus to sit with me, pray with me, and sit some more. Well after midnight, he drove home. That was it.

It’s a rather ordinary story, but my father’s presence was an extraordinary gift that night. I truly can’t tell you any other details about the event because I don’t remember—it didn’t matter. My father’s presence is what mattered. When Christ was born into this earth, He wasn’t born into a perfect Hallmark movie. He was born to an ordinary young woman, in conditions that were far from perfect or glamorous. And frankly, I don’t think any of that mattered. In His ordinary birth, Christ was our extraordinary gift that night in Bethlehem, and He still is today. His presence is what matters.

Questions

1.      Do you tend to recognize God more in the extraordinary or ordinary moments of life?

2.      How have you sensed God’s presence with you today?

 Prayer

I thank You, God, for the extraordinary gift of Your presence with me this day. Guide me in the ordinary moments of my life, and open my eyes to the beautiful gift of being in a relationship with You—this day and all days. Amen.

—Katie Borden 

God is always with us

December 20

Scripture Reading

Read Matthew 28:18-20 and reflect on the passage.

This season of Advent is a time of waiting, preparing, and anticipating what lies ahead. As children, the anticipation often takes the form of speculating which items on the gift list will appear under the tree. As adults, the thoughts and questions are deeper. We wonder if the holiday baking will be completed on time. We might be plagued with the question, “How will I be able to afford the gifts my children want?”

Holidays are troublesome for many while festive for others. The reasons are as numerous as the ornaments on the tree and often times just as fragile. It is so important we take time to recognize the real reason for Christmas. Knowing this special event was the creation of the path to our salvation.

The reason we observe Advent is so we can prepare to celebrate Christmas with joy and happiness. If you are not feeling the spirit yet, reflect on Matthew 28:20, “And surely I am with you always…” See if God doesn’t meet you where you are and give you what you need to survive and even enjoy this special season of love.

Questions

1.      How do you approach the holidays? Are you excited to be with family and friends or are they the reason for your trepidation?

2.      How can you make this Christmas season one filled with memories you and your family with always remember?

Prayer

Lord, bring joy and laughter into our homes and bless this precious time we have with one another. Provide the grace we need for each moment. Amen.

—Judy Webb