humbling humility

The official holiday of Christmas has officially passed. The 25th of December has come and gone, again. The decorations are being put away, one by one. The leftover sweets of the season are being eaten, one by one. The lights are going out, one by one. Sorry folks, no more jolly tunes or rockin' around the tree until next winter. If you missed your chance under the mistletoe, I'm afraid you have about fifty weeks to wait. Farewell Frosty the Snowman and adios Santa Claus. Poinsettias, it was nice seeing you all, but have a good break. Cadbury Chocolate, you have delighted our taste-buds once again, but please, I beg you, leave us alone while we make our New Year's resolutions to not eat you after breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The happy holiday high is over for many. The glitz n glam is gone. Hey, it was fun while it lasted. Right? Now, it's back to work/back to school. Those rosy cheeks have paled. That sparkle in your eye has disappeared. Those cheery spirits have dropped... low. The shops have successfully sucked you in and spat you out, and now you're just waiting for a New Year's drink, or two, or three.

Regardless of how one may feel at this present time, there is hope. Very real and certain hope. His name is Jesus Christ. Christmas comes every year to remind us about how He came, and why He came into this world. And this ain't just a nice story, folks. Neither is it a tall tale or a Christmas carol. It is the truth. The most humbling and hopeful truth of all time/for all time.

The how is humbling.

"Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up his divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave, and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross." {Philippians}

In other words, God left His golden throne for a wooden manger. He left the constant praise of angels for the cries of cattle in a crowded barn. Later on, that wood made a cruel cross on which He hung for hours, and those cries in the barn became cries on a hill called Calvary, mocking cries from proud people, jeering at the humble Messiah. From adored king, to suffering servant. From Creator, to Saviour.

The why is hope.

"And you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." {Matthew 1:21}

"When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. We rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation." {Romans)

"He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed." {Isaiah 53:5}

In other words, Jesus Messiah came to die, so that we might live. He conquered death, so that we might live. He was wounded, so that we might be healed (of the disease of our sin). He paid the debt and printed the receipt that God's justice demanded. Through our humble repentance and trust in His perfect sacrifice on our behalf, a holy God becomes a faithful Father. In a sentence, He came to rescue us from our sin and restore us to a relationship with the great God of the universe.

Humble yourself, because He humbled Himself. Then, and only then, will you have joy and peace that will last you all year-round.