The Humility of God Incarnate
As we gaze upon the night sky alongside the shepherds, a multitude of angels appears, filling the heavens with splendor and song. The shepherds, going about their daily routine, are suddenly surprised by this divine display. However, considering the origin of the child they are about to encounter, the real surprise lies not in the presence of an angelic throng but in the fact that God’s arrival is not accompanied by even greater fanfare.
From Eternity to Humanity
In eternity, the Father, Son, and Spirit shared equally in all aspects of God’s nature. The Son, who was about to become incarnate, possessed the full glory of God, bearing the likeness and image of God. He embodied everything that makes God, God. This realization makes the events that follow all the more astounding.
A Humble Entrance
Paul writes in Philippians 2:5-7, “Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Instead of holding onto his uninterrupted glory, Jesus chose to set it aside, emptying himself of his divine reputation.
The Sign of Humility
The angel announced to the shepherds, “This will be a sign to you: you will find the babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” What a peculiar sight – not a chariot or a scepter, but a stable. Jesus became as much of an earthly servant as he had been a heavenly sovereign.
Wrapped in Humility
We see this same picture later in Jesus’ life when he washed his disciples’ feet, wrapping himself in a towel. Taking the form of a servant, he emptied himself, not by diminishing his essence but by adding humanity to his divinity. He who was a somebody in his own right became a nobody to serve others.
The Paradox of Humility
Jesus did not approach the incarnation asking, “What’s in it for me?” Instead, he said, “I don’t matter.” He willingly accepted the humble circumstances of his birth and life, including the cross. This is what it means to “make himself nothing, taking on the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”
A Hope Story
The Advent story is a hope story because it chronicles the coming to earth of the One who is hope, Jesus. His humility and willingness to serve humanity offer us a glimpse into the heart of God and the promise of redemption.
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