There is something particularly comforting about a belief that God would in humility come as a baby into the world He has created and rules.

This very action, though spoken of periodically, is not normally the focus of the Christmas story. Yes, we talk about baby Jesus and give attention to the incredibly difficult time his earthly parents went through to give birth. But, we don’t often talk about the humility of it all and how that should impact our understanding of how we go about our lives in His world.

We bluster about thinking that we need to show some mettle. We threaten to grab lands not belonging to us. We show the DMV worker that we mean business. Our entitled lives are easily derailed by all sin produces.

And yet, Jesus Christ came as a baby for crying out loud.

God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.
1 Corinthians 1:27 (ESV) 

Just think about that.

We tend to rush headlong to the consummation when Jesus comes on the white horse (Rev. 6:2) to conquer. But that is the Lord of the Universe’s prerogative at the end of time. It is not for the Christian who is living his daily life, engaging with his neighbor, store owners, and family members. We have not been born to conquer.

What was Jesus born for?

To die in service to his neighbor.

What were we born for?

To die in service to our neighbor.

Humility.

This Christmas I am going to try to meditate on this. Despite all the messages around that distract from Jesus’ humility in our celebrations—some I have written myself.

For unto us a Child is born.