Then the devotional contact today. Today’ s Bible reading begins in Philippians verse
five, chapter two. Let there be in you this feeling that there was
also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did
not regard being equal to God as a thing to hold on to, but
stripped himself of the form of a servant made like men and being in the
condition of man, humbled himself by becoming obedient to death and death on the
cross, so that God also exalted him to the highest and gave him a
name, which is above all names, that in the name of Jesus every
knee should bend from those in heaven and on earth and under the earth and
every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is lord to the glory of God the
Father. Christmas time offers a wonderful opportunity to show love and appreciation for others
by giving gifts. God the Father set the precedent by giving his son to
the world, but we must not forget that Jesus Christ himself was characterized by
self- denial. Generosity empathizes us both for our gift and for the sacrifice
that is required to give it. So, what did God give up son,
when he came into the world like a little baby. Lord Jesus gave
himself up as a servant. We know that he was the servant of God,
because he did and said only what his father commanded him, but he
did not stop there the creator and ruler of heaven and earth. He also
became a servant of sinful mankind. He healed the sick, fed the hungry
and taught the crowds, but his humility did not end there. Lord Jesus
gave himself up as a sacrifice. He humbled himself to die on a cross,
carrying the wrath and judgment of the father for our sins. Although he
was holy and pure. He gave himself up to be ill- treated,
tortured, scorned and jil executed by sinful men. Lord Jesus gave himself up
as a savior. Now all who believe in him can be forgiven, reconciled
to God and saved from the penalty of eternal punishment in hell. But that
' s not all. He also gives us eternal life and the promise of
an inheritance in heaven. We do not have the ability to imagine what it
was like to leave the glories of heaven to come into the world as a
human being. All we can do is thank Christ for the indescribable gift of
his being.