I have often said, God wants for you exactly what you would want for yourself if you were as smart as God. I believe that. Our attitude about everything would change if we saw things through God’s eyes. Here’s a good example, taken from a daily devotional called “A Good Thing”, of what I’m talking about:

Christ’s birth changed the world; now we must spread the word.

 

President Ronald Reagan once commented on the earthly ministry of Christ: “Meaning no disrespect to the religious convictions of others, I still can’t help wondering how we can explain away what to me is the greatest miracle of all and which is recorded in history. No one denies there was such a man, that he lived and that he was put to death by crucifixion. Where…is the miracle I spoke of? Well consider this and let your imagination translate the story into our own time—possibly to your own home town.

 

“A young man whose father is a carpenter grows up working in his father’s shop. One day he puts down his tools and walks out of his father’s shop. He starts preaching on street corners and in the nearby countryside, walking from place to place, preaching all the while, even though he is not an ordained minister. He does this for three years. Then he is arrested, tried and convicted. There is no court of appeal, so he is executed at age 33 along with two common thieves. Those in charge of his execution roll dice to see who gets his clothing—the only possessions he has. His family cannot afford a burial place for him so he is interred in a borrowed tomb. End of story? No, this uneducated, propertyless young man who…left no written word has, for 2,000 years, had a greater effect on the world than all the rulers, kings, emperors; all the conquerors, generals and admirals, all the scholars, scientists and philosophers who have ever lived—all of them put together. How do we explain that?…unless he really was who he said he was.”

 

As President Reagan noted, Jesus has had more impact on the world than any ruler or philosopher who has ever lived. He changed history by His birth and is still changing the world today. But imagine what would have happened had no one known about Jesus’ birth. What if the shepherds didn’t tell others about the babe in the manger? How would they have known their Messiah had come?

 

Even today, how will others know about the Saviour if no one tells them? We are to tell everyone about our Saviour and the free gift of salvation He offers them today.

 

Christmas Day has passed, but the hope of salvation is still alive in each of us if we know Him. The manger set may get packed away, but don’t let the salvation story stay in storage. Take time each day to share God’s good news with someone. Share the spirit of Christ today.(Dr. Paul Chappell)

Andrew Murray, preacher during the late 1800s and early 1900s, once commented on the characteristic of humility, “The humble man feels no jealousy or envy. He can praise God when others are preferred and blessed before him. He can bear to hear others praised while he is forgotten because…he has received the Spirit of Jesus, who pleased not Himself, and who sought not His own honor. Therefore, in putting on the Lord Jesus Christ he has put on the heart of compassion, kindness, meekness, longsuffering, and humility.”

Humility is a trait flaunted by many, but possessed by few. It is commented on and preached about, yet there is perhaps no greater example of humility than Christ Himself. And His humility was clearly shown through His birth.

The King of kings, Lord of lords, Prince of Peace, Creator of the world, Sustainer of all life, and Saviour of men’s souls was not born in a regal palace. He was not wrapped in the finest of linens. He was not cradled in the softest of beds. He was born in a stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a feeding trough.— the Son of God deserved more than an obscure birth in a barn.

Christ’s birth is a perfect example of humility. While He deserved the best, He chose the least. His birth was indicative of His entire earthly life-deserving of royalty, yet accepting obscurity. Jesus didn’t demand people worship Him. He didn’t command them to honor Him, their Creator. He walked in humility and served others.

Too often our society focuses on titles, positions, and places. Certain people are revered more than others. But the only position we should see is our position in Christ-we are helpless sinners only saved by God’s grace. No one person is better than another; we are all in need of a Saviour.

The Bible is full of verses that point Christians toward living a humble life. Humility is a fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Meekness, or humility, is an attribute of a godly life.

How is humility seen in one’s life? How can you know if someone is humble? Simply look to Jesus’ life for the answer. Christ made a priority of serving others while on earth. He came to seek and to save, and went about doing good and performing miracles, yet He still took time to serve others.

We all have schedules to keep, to-do lists to complete, and deadlines to meet; yet even in the midst of our busyness, God wants us to serve others through humility. He wants us to see others as our equals and help them with their needs.

Can those who know you say you are a person of humility? Would others point to some act of humility, service, or preference of others that you have done recently? Even Jesus’ birth showed humility. Make displaying humility a priority today. Don’t help others for mere praise or award; help them out of a love for Christ and a love for others. Let your actions be characterized by a spirit of humility each day.(From “Daily in the Word”)

Every year around Christmas I make it a point to mention Mary’s part in the birth of our dear Savior. I usually devote one entire sermon to the subject and write at least one short article. There is much that we can learn from her example. The following article appeared in “Senior Living” and the author does a good job of describing the situation:

Imagine this—a young girl, betrothed to a reputable man, finds herself pregnant and the father is not her beloved. Two thousand years ago, this potential scandal could have cost her a reputation and maybe even her life. However, Mary was called out by the Lord. Probably no older than 15 years of age, she certainly had no job and no intentions of becoming a mother just yet. But God entrusted her with a great responsibility.

When the angel of the Lord appeared to her and assigned her this task, she didn’t respond as most would by saying, “But I can’t take on that responsibility, Lord. I am about to get married. I just want to enjoy time with my husband right now. Please pass this assignment off to someone else! I don’t want you to call me to do this!”

No, instead Mary willingly obeyed the Lord and submitted to His will for her life. Many people confuse Mary’s status—some put her on the same pedestal as Jesus and some even worship her as they would the Lord. But Mary was simply the woman God called to bear the Messiah and the woman who was willing to carry out the task He laid before her.

As believers, we must learn the meaning of surrender. When God places a call on your life, there is no room for questions or hesitation. Is God calling you to some specific task? Are you willing to surrender all to obey Him? You must simply say, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” Take with you the very valuable lessons of surrender, compassion, obedience, and love displayed in the Christmas story.

Ask the Lord to show you His will for your life, and pray that He would help you to be a man or woman that is completely surrendered and obedient to Him.