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At Christmas we get caught up in the busyness of it all, don’t we? We forget why we are doing all of the things—shopping for gifts, decorating the house, planning meals. But may I encourage you to join me to really consider the One whose birth we celebrate? And to follow His example to live an emptied life this Christmas season.
Jesus
…who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:6-8, emphasis added)
We often think of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross at Easter. But do we consider His sacrifices at Christmastime?
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He Emptied Himself.
Jesus was in the form of God, yet He set that aside for us.
He Became…
A man.
A servant.
He Gave…
Jesus gave up the glory that he had with God before the world existed (John 17:5).
He gave up his riches (2 Corinthians 8:9).
He gave His life. On the cross. The shameful, painful death of a criminal. For us.
And we are called to be like him.
Yes, we give Christmas gifts to one another as a way to remember Christ’s gift to us. But what gift can we give to Him?
The passage in Philippians begins with these verses:
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus… (Philippians 2:3–5)
Why is this so hard for us? Why is it so hard for me? I can be so selfish, conceited. I count myself more significant. I look to my own interests, or what I feel I have a right to. It is as if I live life with an “It’s all about me” mentality.
But Paul urges me—he urges all of us—to have the mind of Christ. Christ the one who sacrificed so much in birth, and life, and death.
Jesus set an example of how we should live. For how we should give the most meaningful gift to those around us. This Christmas, let us commit to following his example. To humble ourselves, serve others, to give.
You can read more about living an emptied life and
download your FREE Christmas devotional here.
Join our 24 Days to A Christ-Centered Christmas group on Facebook HERE!
Looking for more Advent activities and resources?
- This Christmas, I wish you, Christ!
- Prepare Your Heart for Christmas with Abrahams’s Advent
- Free Christmas Kindness Planner
- Christ-Centered Advent Activities for Kids
- 25-day Bible Verses Christmas Calendar for Kids
- 12 Days at The Nativity Study
- How to Celebrate Christmas with A Birthday Party for Jesus
- Prepare Your Heart for A Christ-Centered Christmas: Crafts, Activities & More.
Find Christ-Centered Christmas Decor & Gifts Here:
Fisher-Price Little People A Christmas Story
LED Flameless Nativity Candles – Set of 3Nativity Playset for Children 19 Pieces by BibleToys. Includes Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus. Christmas Toys for ChildrenMelissa & Doug Classic Wooden Christmas Nativity Set With 4-Piece Stable and 11 Wooden FiguresFisher-Price Little People NativityPLAYMOBIL Nativity Stable with MangerKurt Adler 11-Piece Nativity SetThe Nativity StoryThe NativityOutdoor Nativity Store Holy Family Outdoor Nativity Set (Large, Color)EasyGo Large Outdoor Nativity Scene – Large Christmas Yard Decoration Set and Reusable For Many Years!!Winter Wonderland Holiday Nativity Set LED ProjectorNativity Shadow BoxChristmas Holiday Nativity Mason Jar Decal Sticker Set – 24 Sheets2 Dozen (24) Make a NATIVITY SCENE Sticker Sheets Religious Education – VBS CHRISTMAS Party Classroom Activity FAVORS – Holiday GIVEAWAY by OTCCelebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas: Seven Traditions to Lead Us Closer to the SaviorCelebrating a Christ-centered Christmas: Children’s EditionA December To Remember: Creating Christ-Centered Family TraditionsA Christ Centered ChristmasJoy to the World: A Devotional Journal for AdventHow to Create a Christ-Centered Christmas for Your Kids: Practical, Hands-On Activities to Help Your Child Focus on Christ at Christmas12 Gifts for Christ: Traditions, Activities, and Devotionals for a Christ-Centered Christmas12-Day Nativity: Christmas Activities for a Christ-Centered HomeDiscovering the True Spirit of Christmas: Fifteen Minutes a day to a Christ-centered ChristmasChristmas: It’s Jesus’ Birthday, Not Yours (30 Day Devotional Series)Teaching the Gifts of Christmas: A Christ Centered Family Christmas Time TraditionChristmas Without Santa Creating a Christ-Centered Christmas
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.
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This looks great! Lots of great thoughts here (& lots to think about!)
Isn’t it brilliant? So handy! My son always have dozes little cars and trains on the floor while playing and this will be a huge help for mom when it comes to pick up and clean his room. 😉 A smart gift, for sure!
thanks for the reminder to keep Christ in Christmas
You’re welcome! After all, He is the only reason for Christmas, right? 😉