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"What
we are in fact celebrating is the awe-inspiring humility
of God, and no amount of familiarity with the trappings
of Christmas should ever blind us to its quiet but
explosive significance." -- J.B.
Phillips
Christmas
Humility
Christmas
pageants, plays, and parades catch our eye. Strings of
lights adorn homes and trees. Decorations, displays,
gift-wrapped packages, and family gatherings give a
festive feel to the season. Radio, television, and print
media help turn December into one long celebration (and
spending spree).
But
the Advent story is steeped in obscurity and
humility.
Elizabeth
goes into seclusion for the first 5 months of her
pregnancy. Zacharias spends over 9 months humbled for
his skepticism, unable to speak. Mary and Joseph are
certainly not celebrities, nor is Nazareth (their home
town) a popular tourist attraction. Jesus Himself takes
on the form of mortal humanity, and the most vulnerable
form at that - a baby.
No
parades, no festivities, no spending, no crowds. Except
for a few shepherds one night, Jesus arrives without
recognition or accolade. Humility
personified.
We
might be tempted to minimize the manger. But it
expresses something foundational not only to the life of
Christ but to our lives, too. Advent throws down the
gauntlet to us. Will we "empty ourselves" as Jesus did?
Can we too be examples of that Bethlehem birth? Not just
once a year, but every
day.
Obscurity
and humility rankles most of us. Who wants to be unknown
and lowly? Who is willing to slip in under the radar in
life, and stay there? Few people (including believers)
have a heart for anonymity, vulnerability, or authentic
humility. Yet the birth of Christ confronts our
self-importance.
Christmas humility sounds decidely
grinch-like. Might this kill our enjoyment? Just the
opposite. God opposes the proud and gives grace to
the humble
(James
4:6). Advent
humility calls us to selflessness, obedience, and
surrender. Herod, the most powerful and renowned human
figure in the story is also the most treacherous and
infamous.
May
this Advent become a season of greater grace and favor
for each of
us.
In
HOPE
-
David
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