Pondering: Thoughts on the Wonder of Christmas #3

 Contemplating the wonder of the Christmas story, the indescribable gift of God's Son (John 3:16 & 2 Corinthians 9:15), is a wonderful exercise all by itself. However, considering a further reality takes the awe-inspiring narrative to a new level.

That reality is that all of us who follow Christ have a mandate to imitate what the Son of God did in His incarnation. Note the highlighted words below in this quotation from Philippians 2.

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, ² make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. ³ Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; ⁴ do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. ⁵ Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. ⁸ Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ⁹ For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (Philippians 2:1–10)

Just a couple of brief comments:

• Verse 1 gives the basis of this mandate. It is based on these realities that all followers of Christ are privileged to enjoy.
• Verses 2-5 contain the Apostle Paul's command to the Christians in Philippi. There is nothing about the Philippian Christians that makes different than any other follower of Christ, wherever and whenever they life. It is legitimate to apply this command to all of us who follow Christ, today. Note the verbs that define this mandate. This series of commands flows from an attitude, or way of thinking. It is not merely outward, it is from the heart. One way--a big way--our attitudes are changed is through a consideration of the truth. Think of all that Christ has done for us (Romans 12:1-2). An old Gospel chorus sums it up well.
  
         After all He's done for me.
         After all He's done for me. 
        How can I do less,
        Than give Him my best,
        And live for Him completely?
        After all He's done for me.
  Not only does the reasoning make sense. It points to a wonderful privilege
•  The rest of the quotation is a summary of the work of Christ. Note that the first part of this is expressed as actions that Christ willingly took. Theologians call this the kenosis, Christ emptying Himself. The second part of this, Christ's exaltation, is expressed in actions that happened to Christ. These were done by His Father. Jesus' prayer in John 17, on the evening before His crucifixion, shows that Jesus depended on His Father to make this happen. He trusted.

The wonder of Christmas is not only that Christ came--God's gift to bring salvation to all who believe--but also that you and I, as followers of Christ, are privileged to participate in this marvelous, life and world-changing self-sacrifice and ultimate reward.

Have a WONDERFUL Christmas.