This advent season as I read, study and share the Christmas Story of Jesus, I am struck, once again, by the humility exemplified by the King of Glory. Jesus left the grandeur of eternity to be born an infant who was then placed in a manger. What a stark contrast. One moment Jesus was in the presence of God in Heaven, the next in the presence of livestock in a, for lack of a better word, barn. In that one iconic moment, God revealed to man the source of all hope and peace. This baby was the fulfillment of all God’s promises to every man, woman, boy and girl. No longer was man to be separated from God, living in bondage, despair and hopelessness. Instead, He was going to live within those who chose to believe. He was now God With Us, Emmanuel.
In a display of utmost humility, Jesus became human and willingly suffered a cruel death so that you and I may have not only limitless peace, here and now, but a hope that no one can take away from us. This hope is the culmination of all God has done, is doing and will do for us that is beyond our understanding. When we take on true humility, as Jesus demonstrated, we are transformed within by being filled with hope. This hope will drive you, carry you, protect you, empower you, provide for you and fill you with peace. And then, when you least expect it, it will overflow to give others hope too! Everything you are trying to do yourself and can never achieve, God will do for you when you decide to follow Him in humility.
HUMILITY becomes HOPE.
HOPE gives you life and love beyond all you can ever image…
Luke 4:16-21 And he (Jesus) came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2016 (Lk 4:16–21). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.