What Christ's Birth Calls us to Do

        On Christmas Sunday, I (Dan) was asked to fill in at a church that we have a close relationship with, but I never made it there to preach, as most everyone (but me) was sick that morning, and I thought it best to stay home with sick children, especially since the roads were pretty snow covered.  So I decided to post the message here (at least a short version of it).  I'm a few weeks late, but I pray it gives good encouragement of what we are to do in light of Christmas.

        Often when we discuss Christmas, we take time to discuss the miracle, the magnificence, the love, the mercy, the forgiveness, the humility demonstrated, etc.  We are also quite often very good at discussing how Christmas points to the cross - the suffering and death of Christ, which in turn points to His resurrection - our hope.  It dawned on me that I have seldom heard a message on what we are to do in light of Christmas.  It happened this week (the last week of Advent, 2016) as I was considering what I would preach on Sunday at a church in Poplar MT, should the weather permit me to drive there on the 25th.  It turns out that I will not be preaching anyway, as all of my kids and my wife are not feeling well, AND there are likely to be bad roads. 

So here is what occurred to me.  Consider Philippians 2:1-11. 

1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any ^baffection and compassion,

2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

3 Do nothing from ^aselfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,

7 but ^aemptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.¹

          Most often, we miss the Christmas roots of this passage, and go straight to discussing the self-emptying of Christ and the deity of Christ, which is made clear in both verses 6-7 and 10-11.  However, verse six is preceeded by verse five, which gives us a clear instruction of how we are to live in light of CHRISTMAS, for Christmas is the day when Christ came to earth in great humility to begin His life of humility service, and ultimate sacrifice.  Verse five reads, "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus".

          This is how we are to live in light of Christmas!  We are called by Christ to be like Him.  That is what we are to do!  But what is the attitude?  Humility, letting go of that which was rightfully His, emptying Himself, and becoming an obedient slave of others for their sake!  Christ even died for us in this process.  But don't miss this!  We are called to have this attitude!

          Look back at 3-4.  "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind, regard one another as more important that yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others"  This is how we live out the calling that Christmas was to bring in our lives!  Yes, He accomplished our salvation.  Yes, He suffered for our gain.  Yes, it's by His grace and mercy.  But remember that He calls us to come follow Him.  How do we do that?  Humility.  Selflessness.  Treat others as more important than ourselves.  Serve them.  Look out for what is in their best interest.

          I think if I am honest, this is always a grave struggle in my life, and likely in yours too.  So I ask us to consider some thoughts?  Whom do I serve?  What sacrifices do I make?  Am I making every effort to maintain the same love, mind, unity of spirit, and purpose with other believers (vs. 2), or am I selfishly seeking what I want, my interests, recognition, and purposes. 

          When was the last time I changed my lifestyle drastically for the sake of others?  I've been considering this particular issue a lot lately.  Christ left heaven for us.  Will I leave the comforts I know and enjoy for the sake of the lost?  I know, I moved across the country to come to where I am, to serve here, but what if God calls for more?  I happen to like where I'm at a lot.  Would I give that up?  Would I empty myself?  Would I be a bond-slave to a people who would reject me, abuse me, and potentially even kill me?  Would I do it in love for them and in obedience, as Christ did for us? 

Don't we see?  Christmas is so much more profound than the celebration of Christ's birth.  It is also the call of Christ on our lives.  "Come, take My yoke upon you and learn from Me."  It is a call to discipleship... to be like Him, who came in such great humility.  What do I need to sacrifice?  How do I need to change my decision making process?  Which things do I NOT do for selfishness?  Which things do I DO for selfishness.  Will I allow the attitude that was in Christ Jesus to grow in me?  How about you?

1 New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Php 2:1–11). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.