The REAL Truth of Christmas!
“Being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself
by becoming obedient to the point of death,
EVEN death on a cross.
[capital letters all mine]
For this reason also,
God highly exalted Him,
and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,
so that
at the name of Jesus
EVERY KNEE WILL BOW,
of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and that
every tongue will confess
that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”
(The Letter of Paul to the Philippians 2: 8-11 NASB)
This is the season of Advent, the season of waiting, but have you asked yourself:
What are we waiting for to come?
OR MORE IMPORTANTLY—
WHO exactly are we waiting to see?
For a moment, let’s unpack what I believe the apostle Paul was writing to the Christians living in Philippi (and for who are alive and studying God’s Word).
“Being found in appearance as a man,
(The Letter of Paul to the Philippians 2: 8a NASB)
He humbled Himself
by becoming obedient to the point of death, . . .”
In your mind—
- See God leaving heaven and coming to earth.
- See God humbling Himself to become ‘like’ a member of His creation.
- See God ‘fashioning’ Himself—taking off, exchanging (for a time) His Kingly garments, and putting on the clothing of a beggar—a man.
Pause right there.
Dwell there.
- See God doing this action!
- See God doing this action for the entire world of humanity!
- See God doing this action for you!
“Being found in appearance as a man,
(The Letter of Paul to the Philippians 2: 8 NASB)
He humbled Himself
by becoming obedient to the point of death,
EVEN death on a cross.”
God created the universe and God made man, fashioned man for one specific reason. We strive our entire lives seeking that reason—the reason God made us. It is the REAL Truth of Christmas, the reason God created us, a reason we must not miss!
- We are created to enjoy fellowship with God!
- How tragic is it that so many people leave God out of their lives!
- How horrible is it that there is a whole world of humanity who wander aimlessly through their lives—when they could be children of God!
In God’s Amazing Grace, He made the only way possible for us to experience this fellowship, this friendship.
- God did this through His Only Son Jesus Christ, the Messiah!
- God did this when He sent His Son as a babe in a lowly manger!
There is ‘JOY’ to be found in the TRUE CHRISTMAS narrative because God came to earth through the appearance of man (JESUS—He dwelt among us).
Pause right there.
Yes, Dwell there.
- See God doing this action, for the entire world of humanity—for you & me!
The writer of Hebrews tells us what we are to do.
“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(The Letter to the Hebrews 12: 2-3 NASB)
For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself,
so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
- JESUS HUMBLED HIMSELF!
- JESUS WAS OBEDIENT AS A MAN!
- JESUS GAVE HIS LIFE!
- JESUS ENDURED THE CROSS!
“For this reason also,
(The Letter of Paul to the Philippians 2: 9-11 NASB)
God highly exalted Him,
and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,
so that
at the name of Jesus
EVERY KNEE WILL BOW,
of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
[EVERY SINGLE PERSON!]
and that
every tongue will confess
that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”
- JESUS DID NOT LOOK FORWARD (with pleasure) TO THE CROSS!
- JESUS EVEN PRAYED IN THE GARDEN ON THE NIGHT BEFORE THAT ‘THE CUP’ BE TAKEN FROM HIM!
NEVERTHELESS—
- JESUS ENDURED THE SHAME OF THE CROSS!
- JESUS WAS DESPISED BY THE HOSTILITY OF SINNERS AS HE WILLINGLY STRETCHED OUT HIS ARMS ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY!
JESUS LAID DOWN HIS LIFE TO DO THE FATHER’S WILL!
- May we not miss—THE REAL TRUTH of CHRISTMAS!
- May we share—THE REAL TRUTH of CHRISTMAS with those we know who remain lost!
- May we testify to the world—JESUS THE MESSIAH, NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES, EMMANUEL—GOD WITH US!
- May we sing “Joy to the World”—“the earth will receive her King; heaven & nature will sing.” (Isaac Watts 1719)
- May we use the opportunity of the Christmas season, when the eyes of the world are fixed on “the babe in the manger” to share with everyone—THE REAL TRUTH of CHRISTMAS!
“For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself,
(The Letter to the Hebrews 12: 3 NASB)
so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”