So many times, I see and hear people talking about Christmas and hear these words, “that’s what Christmas is all about.” Most of the time they have a false idea of what Christmas is all about. Well, let me rephrase that. They have an idea that does not coincide with the first Christmas. I see them with children at the mall taking their kiddos to see Santa and hear moms say the former phrase. I hear of people doing charitable things, such as buying toys for underprivileged children, and that is wonderful, I see families getting together to celebrate the season. Catching up on all the events of the past year is so much fun, but when I hear them say, “this is what Christmas is all about” it makes me cringe! I usually don’t say anything for fear of them misunderstanding me, and them thinking, I think I am holier than them. I guess many think that all the frills and warm fuzzy feelings are what Christmas is all about, and maybe it is to them, but that is not what it is about!
The word itself should be our clue as to what it is about. Christmas is a compound word. It is Christ -Mass. Christ means the Lord’s anointed and Mass is a liturgical celebration of the Catholic church that concludes in Latin. The Latin word for mass is missa and it means “go, it is the sending.” So, God sent his Son, the anointed one to earth. He could have come as a warrior leading an army, a King ruling the world, but he chose to come as a baby.
Philippians 2:8 “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
He chose to forgo his ability to be a grown man as he arrived. He chose to experience everything that we must go through to become an adult. He came as the humblest of all, a baby. Helpless, innocent, and stripped of all his glory from heaven. He became one of us. He was found in fashion as a man….” That word “fashion” is the Greek word schema. This word schema was the same word that was used in ancient times to depict a king who exchanged his kingly garments for a brief period of time, for the clothing of a beggar. He exchanged His royal, heavenly garments, for a robe of human flesh!
Paul’s next statement in Philippians 2:8 says “he humbled himself.” The word “humbled” is the Greek word tapeinao, and it means to be humble, to be lowly, and to be willing to stoop to any measure that is needed. Think of how much humility would be required for God to shed His glory and lower Himself to become like a member of His creation. Consider the greatness of God’s love that drove Him to deprive himself of all the rights and power that are only His. To give up all of His splendor and become like his creation.
The word obedient that is used to describe Jesus is the Greek word hupakouo, it means to be under authority, to listen to that authority, and do exactly as the authority says. Jesus the creator, did not think of himself as equal to God, but he is. He chose to submit himself to the cross even though it was a horrible ordeal to go through. The accusations alone would be difficult for the Son of God, and the physical beatings would cause the strongest to crumble. He despised the shame that came with the cross but endured for us. Jesus endured because he loved us.
Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
The baby born in a manger grew to be a man. Christmas happened for one reason, and that was to redeem us, to buy us back with His own blood. So, when you look at that baby in a manger think ahead to the cross. That was the reason we have Christmas.
