Although this homily on the Nativity came from the Church of England many years ago it sure puts things in proper perspective:

Before Christ’s coming into the world, all men universally in Adam were nothing else but a wicked and crooked generation, rotten and corrupt trees, stony ground, full of brambles and briars, lost sheep, prodigal sons, naughty unprofitable servants, unrighteous stewards, workers of iniquity, the brood of adders, blind guides, sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death: to be short nothing else but children of perdition, and inheritors of hell fire.

But after [Christ] was once come down from heaven, and had taken our frail nature upon him,( giving Himself as the sacrifice for our sin –added, HDS) he made all them that would receive him truly, and believe his word, good trees, and good ground, fruitful and pleasant branches, children of light, citizens of heaven, sheep of his fold, members of his body, heirs of his Kingdom, his true friends and brethren, sweet and lively bread, the elect and chosen people of God.

Understanding who you are in Christ is the key to everything concerning how you live your life. It will do away with the foolish ideas about self-esteem, self-love, etc. This Christmas take some time to reflect on the difference Christ makes in your life.

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.–Luke 12;15

I was reminded of one of my favorite, and often used, stories this morning when I read this account by Pastor Stephen Davey:

G.W. Target wrote a short story in 1973 called “The Window.” It illustrates powerfully the choice we all have of living for self or living for others:

Two men were confined to a hospital room due to their illnesses. One man had to lie on his back at all times; the other had to sit up for one hour every day because of the accumulation of fluid in his lungs. His bed was next to the only window in the room.

Each day for one hour, he would describe to the man in the hospital bed what he saw out the window. The man in bed began to live for that hour; his roommate spoke of the beautiful lake down below, describing the fishermen and the results of their efforts. Another day he described the skyline of the city on the horizon and the busy lives of the people living there. Mountains in the distance, capped with snow were reported on other days.  And so the months and seasons passed with these two men.

Eventually, the man confined on his back began to resent the reports from the window. He was ashamed to admit it to himself, but it didn’t seem fair that his roommate had a window by his bed. In time, this resentment turned to anger, and then bitterness. One night he was awakened by the coughing of the man next to him, desperately needing to clear his lungs. He looked over and saw him stretching to reach the call button for the nurse. It would have been easy to push his own call button, but he didn’t. He chose to offer no help, and in a few moments the coughing ended. It was replaced with labored wheezing, and finally . . . silence.

A few hours later the nurse discovered that the patient by the window had died during the night. His body was removed from the room and the other man said quietly, “Since I am now alone in this room, may I have my bed moved where I can look out the window?”

The nurse agreed, and after the bed had been moved and he was alone in the room again, he summoned all his strength to pull himself up on his elbows. At last he would see all that awaited him outside  his window.

It was then that he made the discovery—  outside the window there was nothing except a brick wall.

Contentment is sometimes a difficult thing for a believer.  “Why does he have a better job . . . a nicer house . . . a closer family . . . ? “

Why does the other person always get the window seat?  Life just doesn’t seem fair!

Romans 12:15 says to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep,”  meaning that contentment is not only being joyful in what you have been given—great or small—but being happy for others in what they have been given.

Dear friend, Jesus makes it perfectly clear that contentment and happiness are not found in possessions, privileges, or even a pain free life. It is found in having the right perspective! Take a few minutes this morning to count your blessings, consider your unworthiness, and confess your sins. Doing so will give you the right perspective and make you content.–HDS

…..learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart. Matthew 11:29

Learn humility–from Christ’s humility.

For lack of humility–some angels became devils! Proud sinners are fit companions, for none but proud devils!

When men glory in their pride–God stains the pride of their glory! “The Lord of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.” Isaiah 23:9

The most lowly Christian–is the most lovely Christian!

A believer is like a vessel in the sea: the more it fills–the more it sinks!

None live so humble on earth–as those who live highest in heaven. See how one of the best of saints looks upon himself–as one of the least of saints, “Unto me who am less than the least of all saints,” said the great Paul in Ephesians 3:8.

The most holy men–are always the most lowly men. Where humility is the corner-stone, there piety is the top-stone. The coat of humility–should always be worn on the back of Christianity. “..be clothed with humility.” 1 Peter 5:5

God Almighty has two houses in which He dwells: His city-house, and His country-house. His city-house is the heaven of heavens; and His country-house is the humble and lowly heart! Isaiah 57:15, “I dwell in the high and holy place,” that is, in heaven, God’s city-house; “and also with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit,” that is God’s country-house.

Humility is a ‘Bethel’ for God’s dwelling-place!

Pride is a ‘Babel’ for the devil’s residence!

If you do not keep pride out of your soul( That , of course must be by the new birth–HDS), and your soul out of pride–pride will keep your soul out of heaven!

I will not say, that a poor man is never proud–but I will say, that a proud man is never godly. James 4:16, “God resisteth the proud,but giveth grace unto the humble.” The face of piety–shines brightest through the mask of humility.

“Clothe yourselves with humility.” Of all garments, humility best fits Christians, and best adorns their profession. A Christian should look with one eye upon God’s grace–to keep him thankful; and with the other eye upon himself–to keep him mournful. When you begin to grow proud of your glistening feathers–look down upon your black feet!

Revelation 4:10, “The twenty-four elders fall down before the throne, and cast down their crowns before Him who sits on the throne.” The only way of keeping our crowns on our heads–is the casting them down at Christ’s feet!

Alas! sirs–what are you proud of?
Are you proud . . .
of your riches,
of your honors,
of your relations,
of your beauty,
of your strength?
Alas! alas! these are poor base things to boast in!

Oh, go to the graves of those who have died before you. Are not their bones scattered, their eyes rotted, their flesh consumed, their mouth corrupted! Where now are their ruddy lips, their lovely cheeks, their fluent tongue, their sparkling eyes, their flowing hair? Are they not all gone, as a dream!

And where will you be before long?

And will you be proud of these things?

“…pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” Proverbs 8:13

“…those that walk in pride he is able to abase.” Daniel 4:37,  By William Dyer (Scriptural references changed to KJV, HDS)

What is that to thee? follow thou me.–John 21:22

Have you noticed–we find a lot of ways to create problems for ourselves. And, it is often the case that the trouble is caused by us thinking too much about the other fellow, rather than minding our own business. Our text and these wise words from the pen of William MacDonald can help us avoid these problems.

The Lord Jesus had just told Peter that he would live to be an old man, and then die a martyr’s death. Peter immediately looked across at John and wondered out loud if John would receive preferred treatment. The Lord’s reply was, “What is that to thee? follow thou Me.”

To all of these unworthy attitudes, the words of the Lord come with striking forcefulness, “What is that to thee? follow thou me.” How the Lord deals with other Christians is really none of our business. Our responsibility is to follow Him in whatever pathway He has marked out for us.

We sometimes growl ,”Mind your own business!” when we ought to minding ours. Here’s my advice–“Mind your own business and you won’t be minding mine!--HDS