Celebrate the Sacrifice
Like the swaddling clothes that held Baby Jesus, there's a powerful lesson about humility wrapped up in his birth. The fact that God became flesh is not the only mind-bending aspect of the Virgin Birth. I find it even more amazing that He was willing to become human in the first place.
For the Living God, the Perfect, Almighty Creator of All Things, becoming human was not an honor. Actually, it was a huge step down.
For starters, in taking on humanity, Jesus laid aside His glory.
In exchange, He took on our struggles and pain.
He took on being misunderstood, even by His own parents, siblings and those who followed Him.
He took on constant harassment from the religious establishment of His day.
He also took on the demands of people always wanting something from Him. Yet, as the One who is Love, He never turned anyone away, even when He was weary.
And after all that taking, He then gave everyone who will accept it the gift of eternal life through his death and resurrection. That life is available right now, providing the comfort of His presence and the assurance of His power, enabling those who say yes to Him to live an abundant, hope-filled life.
Most amazingly, He did it all because He and His Father love us -- personally!
This Christmas season, many will think about the Baby in the manger. There will be cards and carols honoring Him and we too, should celebrate with all our hearts the birthday of the King. But it's also fitting to take the time to humbly reverence and thank our Savior for the tremendous sacrifice He made by being born as one of us.
by Ann Pinkney
