THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians 2:1-13 KJV

Many are familiar with Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"! In the story, three ghosts (spirits) visited a mean, miserly and miserable old man named Scrooge, the night before Christmas, and gave him a lasting lesson on what Christmas was supposedly all about! And indeed it is a season for giving, generosity and goodwill; of caring, charity and communication!

But above it all and underpinning it all the story of Christmas is lesson in submission.

Contrary to popular opinion, Godly submission as exemplified in Christmas, is not a show of weakness, but of strength.

1. Mary submitted to God when she said "be it unto me according to your word".

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:34-38 KJV

When we realize that Mary lived in a different time and culture from ours, and that women were judged by different standards, with serious consequences, for issues that are ignored or acceptable in our land and time, we begin to understand what it meant for her to say those words, "be it unto me according to your word"

In most countries of our time, an unmarried, pregnant young woman is accepted in society, without anyone batting an eyelid. Some even look on it as the independent move of a strong woman! In modern society they may praise and congratulate such practices.

HOWEVER in the land and times that Mary lived she was inviting shame to herself and family, separation from society, and being stoned to death! (Deuteronomy 22). Being engaged did not make it okay or acceptable!

Mary must have realized all this, yet when face with the possibilities, her words to the angel were "be it unto me according to your word"

Mary submitted in spite of the consequences! Her confidence and faith in God expected Him to work everything out as, armed with heavenly knowledge of Elizabeth's pregnancy, she rushed off to Judea's hill country! It was a supreme demonstration of submission!

2. Joseph submitted to God and took Mary for his wife, just as she was! 

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. Matthew 1:18-25 KJV

A young man planning for a future, with his young soon to be wife, does not take kindly to the fact that she is pregnant, and he is not responsible! Imagine the disappointment of Joseph when he found out that Mary was pregnant! She must have just returned to Nazareth, from the celebration of John's birth in Judea. What had she really been doing there? That must have been foremost in Joseph's mind!

He was not about to accept any fanciful tales of angels and miracle birth and Messiah! It was really a great big mess!

Marriage was definitely out of the question, but Joseph knew the consequences of Mary condition being exposed by him. He was a just man! He did not want to have her publicly exposed and put to open shame, so he was going to put her away privily, most likely by giving her a bill of divorce! (Deuteronomy 24:1) However when he got the message from the angel, Joseph without further debate, took Mary as his wife, and submitted to the will of His God!

3. The wise men submitted by  traveling to worship Him and ignoring Herod's request.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. Matthew 2:1-12 KJV

Who were the magi or wise men as we call them? Were they from Babylon or further east? We are only told that they came from the east. They came following a star, which had announced to them the birth of a special king! Many kings were born in Israel, but this was the only time it is recorded that dignitaries came, with the specific intent to worship one! Wherever they came from, they traveled quite a distance, at inconvenience to themselves. Their journey, intent and desire, in no way inspired anyone from Jerusalem to accompany them, but it mattered not. Their willingness to submit brought them into the very Presence of God! Their submission to God led them to ignore Herod and go their own way!

The arrival of the magi, and their reception, reveals a striking contrast between them and God's chosen. They were willing to follow where the star led them. God's chosen chose to ignore the event and its significance!

4. The Greatest Submission was of Christ, the Son of the Living God

He made himself of no reputation, and took on the form  of a servant, because of LOVE!

How can God do this…for us? Since nothing is impossible with God, the question should really be, Why did God do this…for us?

To become a human!

To become a human baby!

To be born of a humble village girl!

To be born in obscurity!

To be born to economic restraints!

To be laid in a manger!

He made no fuss but actually arranged it to be so!

It was called the fullness of time! There was no mistake but a deliberate planned act and timing! But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Galatians 4:4-5 KJV

To be associated with ghetto-like Nazareth! When Nathanael said, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? it wasn't flattery!

Yet this was what He chose, How He chose and when He chose because that's what it is all about Submission! A SUBMISSION of LOVE! For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 KJV

IT'S A DEFINITE DECLARATION

Jesus did not come to be served! 

He did not come to sit on an earthly throne.

He did not come to live a life of ease and to have servants waiting to do His bidding. 

He did not come to keep His feet away from the mud, grime and toils of this world. 

He did not come for any of these but He came to serve. 

IT WAS A DELIBERATE DECISION

Though He was rich He deliberately became poor

Though He was in the form of God He deliberately humbled Himself

Though He was the Creator He deliberately became like the creation

He humbled himself for though He was rich yet for our sakes He became poor, so that we, through Him, might be rich. 

Though He was the Everlasting Father, King of kings and Lord of lords, He laid aside the regal cloak of divinity and glory. 

Though in the form of God He stepped down and humbled Himself. 

He was made in the likeness of man and a little lower than the angels, even though it was not robbery for Him to be equal with God. 

He humbled Himself to be born of a simple Jewish village girl. 

He humbled Himself to be born in a lowly manger. 

He humbled Himself and became a man! 

The greatest act of humility and abasement! 

The One Who made all things and by Whom all things consist in Whom dwelleth the fullness of the Godhead bodily. 

Such a step down from Creator to become like the creature was a step down born out of Love - A SUBMISSION of LOVE! It was God's decision and it made Christmas possible!

It's one thing to pray that God save the sinner. It's totally different to reach out to the sinner on God's behalf, but that's what He wants.

It's one thing to congregate with friends and peers, to relax and have a good time. It's another to follow Him at the risk of losing friendships and company, just to follow His will not mine!

It's one thing to do things that brings pleasure to myself. It's another to say to Him "Not my will but Thine be done"!

As we move to another chronological year do we simply want to do what brings us pleasure, creature comforts and have our own way, or  are we prepared to do the thing that He would have us do. remember the real spirit of Christmas is to say to God:

"BE IT UNTO ME ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD"?