“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” Phil. 2:5-11
Lord Jesus, in Paul’s account of your birth, there’s no harking angels, trembling shepherds, or awe-filled parents. But you are there—front and center, above all and lower than any. The Gospel is without parallel. Nothing is as necessary and glorious. Thank you for coming to us, and for us.
Though you never ceased being God, you truly became man—the God-man, the fulfiller of every God-promise—the king of the cosmos cradled in a stable. Prophets searched intently, angels longed intensely (1Pet.1-10-12), and we are the primary beneficiaries.
You obeyed God’s Law perfectly on our behalf, then you took our judgment fully. Raised as our Justifier, ascended as our Mediator, reigning as our King, returning as our Bridegroom—the incalculable riches of grace are ours now and forever. Jesus, is it possible to simultaneously fall down is silent wonder, and shout and dance before you?
For the rest of our lives—in both meanings of the term “rest,” free us to think of you more highly and more often than we think of ourselves, or anything. Fill our lives with your selfless humility, servant joy, great love, and living hope. So Very Amen.