Integrity- People of God

Christmas demonstrates humility. God humbled Himself and He left His throne in heaven and became flesh to live among sinful man. Jesus was born in humble circumstances, a child of an unwed mother, born in a barn, a storehouse where the animals were kept and His bed was a feeding trough, a manger. Jesus was wrapped in pieces or strips of cloth and not in fine linen or silk that royalty wears. The Creator became flesh as one He created that He may save His creation.

It may sound lofty in the Christmas stories we hear but the Creator of the entire world and the universe was reduced to being born in a shed because there was no room for him in the inn. It appeared as though the whole known world was busy taking care of their own concerns of work, their homes and government situation of being counted for the census and no one recognized the God of all creation had come to be counted among men. People are still too busy with the cares of the world, the gifts and the lack thereof to receive Jesus as the greatest gift of all.

Luke 2: 6         So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

God is still sending His messengers to people who are too busy to recognize the King of kings and Lord of lords has arrived to be their Savior. There were many noble kings and wealthy merchants in that day but God chose to send His message to country shepherds, people living out in the fields. The Angel with the very glory of God shinning around him told the shepherds of the good report that the Savior who is Christ the Lord was born in the city of David.

God’s ways are not like man’s. God sent His son to be born in poverty that we may receive His riches. God announced Jesus’ birth to people of humble means, shepherds living in the fields and not to those living in palaces and mansions. In this world the birth of royalty is announced in the most esteemed places to exalt the arrival to the child’s birth. But God chose the way of humility, to send Jesus as a servant, that He may save many.

Luke 2: 8, 10-12         Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. ¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

God sent Jesus to earth at the appointed time to save humanity. God is still sending His children, at this appointed time, to be witnesses to humanity that God is still on the throne and He is seeking to save those who are lost. Jesus came born of a woman under the law and government of His day to redeem or purchase back those who were born in sin so they may be adopted into the family of God. In the fullness of God’s time we too are being sent out by our Father to release, emancipate and set free the minds of people who are chained and enslaved to the thoughts and practices of this world.

As a believer in Christ we are God’s Christmas gift to humanity. We have the power of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Living God in us to help us to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God that we may no longer live as slaves to sin, pride and un-forgiveness. We can call out to our Abba Father so that when we demonstrate a life that displays the power of God with humility others may want to receive the gift of everlasting life.

Galatians 4:4-7           But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth th Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Though Jesus was a King, He humbled Himself to be born of flesh to become involved with mankind that He may provide a solution for us. It would be impossible to find a king who would give up their high position of living in a palace to live in a stall or to give up their riches for his people and servants. Our God, Our Father gave His best, Jesus our Lord and King so that we may become children of God, heirs to His kingdom. The Christmas story is a story of humility. Jesus is the One who gave His all so that many may be saved. This is still the Christmas story that we too may humble ourselves, to die to self, that others may see in us a reflection of our Father in heaven and want to receive eternal life