Holidays: Christmas Edition 2012

Merry Christmas everyone! I have decided to hopefully give you some new thoughts on Jesus and his birth. I actually wrote this post up in May, and it's finally the right time of year to post it!

Jesus Christ was born in a manger for one reason. Humility.

Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

1 Corinthains 9:19-23

Paul is like Jesus because while Jesus is a king and ruler of the world, he became a like everyone else to win as many as possible. The king was willing to humble himself and be born in a manger. Jesus put himself lower than some of us are.

There are a lot of ministries that help people, I’ll take Samaritans Purse for example, an origination provides for the needy people of the world.

But there are very few people who will become poor to help the poor or homeless to help the homeless. Don’t take this the wrong way. I think Samaritans Purse is a great company and I am not trying to criticize them, but trying to say that Jesus did more than help people he became like those he was trying to help to win as many as possible.

We want to help people without sacrificing our comfort. Just be glad Jesus doesn't feel the same.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Philippians 2:5-7

Jesus took the low place with his birth, life, and even death. I doubt he was ever envied, especially as he died nailed to a tree.

When a king a queen have a child, everyone know about it, but only high classed people are allowed to see the child. In Jesus’ case, his father sent his messenger (an angel) to low class smelly peasants (Shepherds) so that they could see the newborn king.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you

Luke 2:11

Look at the last word of Luke 2:11. YOU. For unto the low class Jesus has been born not to the nobles or kings, but to those who work with sheep. And they were most likely the first to see Jesus besides Mary and Joseph.

Jesus wasn’t even average, he was considered below average. He became below average to reach those below average. If you have read about Jesus life, then you know that Jesus was despised by the Pharisees (the above average). If Jesus wanted to reach them, he would become above average, but he didn’t want to. He wanted to reach those who were poor.
Even as a baby, the high ranking people did not like Jesus. King Herod tried to kill Jesus as infant because he misunderstood Jesus. He thought that Jesus was for the upper class, and didn't want to except that.

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
John 1:10-11

Even today, the world does not receive God. Instead of saying "Merry Christmas" we say "Happy Holidays" or "happy Xmas" People have marked Jesus out of the picture with a great big X over his name.

Even in the modern world his own do not receive him. The people of today want to be in darkness, so they reject the light.

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves
Colossians 1:13

The only reason we are in the light and accepted it is because God forgives. And he forgives because Jesus was willing to be rejected by the human race. He was willing to be mocked and beaten up.

My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me--holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.

Luke 1:46-55

This is Mary’s song Mary sang this before Jesus was born. “He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.” Mary understood that Jesus wasn’t here for the rich. She knew that the rich wouldn't even want Jesus. If the rich were hungry, then Jesus would have given them some food...and there was a small amount of rich people who were "hungry" (Like Nicodemus, the Pharisee (See John 3 for more information))  She knew that he was here for the poor, the ones who knew that they need Jesus. The poor knew they were hungry, but the rich thought that they were full. Mary understood that God chose her to carry his son because of “the humble state of his servant.” Mary understood the humbleness that was in the manger.

Are you ready for Christmas? Be sure you don't get caught up in the celebrations, and remember to celebrate Jesus.

Here are a few Articles and Blog posts that are insightful and I would recommend reading this Christmas:
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2010/11/30/born-in-a-barn
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2011/01/07/feedback-manger-misconception
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2002/12/24/what-was-star-bethlehem

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Sources:
http://www.providencebf.blogspot.com/2009/12/purposeful-humility-in-manger-scene.html
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2010/12/24/creator-in-the-manger
The Bible

Photo credit:
Jesus nailed to the Cross: http://candy-jesusesmidulcerefugio.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html
Christ(x)mas: Me
Santa: http://vsf15mm.blogspot.com/2011_12_01_archive.html