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Go A Little Lower This Christmas!
Jon BurgessBut we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:9
The author of Hebrews is making sure we don't miss the point! It's not about the angels, it's about Jesus! It's not about us, it's about Jesus! There's only One who "...had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." (Hebrews 2:17-18) He left the glories of Heaven so that each one who would believe could go to Heaven. He made Himself low to lift us higher. The Angels didn't do this. We couldn't do this! Jesus did this!
How can I go a little lower this Christmas? To truly celebrate Christ's incarnation is to come in the humble spirit He came in! Maybe, instead of being the one to top the tree I'm the one who holds the ladder so someone else can be the star? Maybe, it's admitting that my wife was right in an argument that I didn't want to lose? Maybe, it's getting involved in the lives of those I would deem of lower station then I or would normally pass by? After all, we are all on the same level before the Cross. Jesus got below us and our sin and lifted us up! How can I go a little lower this Christmas? Maybe instead of focusing on the gifts I'm giving I focus on the gifts I can give? Maybe, instead of trying to retain my Christmas traditions from years past I can embrace the new thing He is wanting to do this year? I suddenly remembered the Christmas I spent on the Big Island with the Matsuyama Ohana as a teenager. I was so wrapped in myself and what I wanted. When I found out the Matsuyama's needed some help finishing a construction project before Christmas for their business I didn't want to do it! This was my vacation. I lived on the Mainland at this point and just wanted to see as much of the Big Island as I could. I didn't want to move rocks in a wheelbarrow. I didn't want to dig trenches. I wanted a break. I didn't want to break my back. Then during a prayer time the Lord reminded me this was the true way to celebrate Him during Christmas time. Get a little lower. Christmas was never supposed to be about the angels, the gifts, the trees or me. It's always been about Jesus getting a little lower for us and us getting a little lower to lift others up!
I'm in tears this morning as I think about what You did for me! What you did for all mankind! I'm also grieved at how quickly I make this holiday about me instead of You. I want to get a little lower this morning before Your throne of grace. I want to lift up the next 20 services at New Hope that You have called me to serve at. The 5 services before Christmas week, the 5 Christmas Concert services, the 5 Christmas weekend services, and the 5 New Years services. I can't do this without You, but I can do this through You! I want to get a little lower to lift You a whole lot higher!
