Youth Director & Family Ministries

Christmas has always been my favorite holiday, as I assume it is for many of you. Maybe because of the time we get with family and friends, the music, Hallmark movies, endless shopping, and of course eating too much. All of these things are so easy to enjoy but often overshadow the real Christmas celebration—the baby in a manger, shepherds, wise men, angels, and the prophecies fulfilled. The first Christmas is a story that has endured. It’s a story about hope, peace, and family. An often overlooked perspective of this season is the humility of the birth of Jesus. Even though it is right to shout out with the angels, “Glory to God in the highest!” it is also important to quietly worship God for the humility of the Christmas story. Paul used the incarnation of Jesus as the model for our attitude of humility. Philippians 2:5-7 says, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” Although Jesus never laid aside his deity, he exhibited profound humility in becoming a man. The very fact that God would become a man should stagger our pride. We should adore the humble Christmas baby. Humility, service, meekness and love marked Jesus’ life. Ultimately, he sacrificed His life as a substitute for all who would believe in Him. All of the glorious humility of Christmas leads us forward to the beginning of the new year, the Cross, and the Resurrection. The greatest of Kings being born in the most humble of places shows us how to live our lives in the way God intended. This season allows us to serve, to love, to worship and to celebrate Immanuel: God with us. “For unto us a child is born, His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” The sweetest gift will always be the one our Savior gave us, Himself.

Grace & Peace, and a Merry Christmas!

Rachel