Introduction Today is the first Sunday of Advent, and we will talk about the birth of Jesus Christ and look at the historical and biblical significance of his birth and his life as He came to earth in the flesh. Mostly, we will look at the meaning behind the Nativity Story, a story of humility. Believe it or not, Jesus’ birthday is not December 25, 0 A.D. He was most likely not born in a barn, He most likely did not have a halo around his head, there were not necessarily three wise men, and there was no little drummer boy we know of. In fact, his birth was less glamorous. It is commonly held that Jesus was born in September or October in Bethlehem (but some scholars argue it was in Nazareth), but the precise date and location are debatable. Contrary to popular thought, history has shown he may have been born in a cave or a room in a house. The Bible also does not disclose how many Magi (or wise men) were present it only states there were the three gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Unfortunately, tradition has painted a picture of the scene of Jesus’ birth, and it is most likely incorrect. According to theologian D.A. Carson, It is probably true Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem during this time because the Romans reorganized their administration in several parts of the empire and were carrying out fresh censuses for the purpose of taxation. The execution of such an imperial decree in Syria (with which the area of Judea was associated) brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, which was prophesied long ago as the Messiah’s place of birth (according to Micah 5:2). There was no room for them in the inn, but as I stated tradition also holds that Jesus may have been born in a cave or room in a house near the inn and most likely not a stable. There are more misconceptions about the Christmas story that I could talk about, but I do not want to focus on them. Instead, I want to talk about humility as it relates to the Christmas story and the life of the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. I am floored when I think about the creator of all things coming to this earth in the flesh of humanity. One would think everything about his entrance into this world would be spectacular, and his birth would be heralded among all the nations. However, everything about our Savior, including his birth, points to humility and service to others. Luke 2:1 - 20 Jesus’ life began and ended in humility. We see this in his birth, his life, and his death. One would think the purpose of God coming to this earth would have been to straighten humanity out and set things on the right course, but it was much more than that. Jesus had a destiny. Looking back at Luke 2:1 - 20, you can see his destiny. The angel proclaims that Jesus will be great and called the Son of the Most High, He will receive the throne of David and reign over all of Israel, and there shall be no end to His kingdom. However, before we can recognize Him as the King of Kings and Prince of Peace, we need to grasp the humility of our God in the flesh. While on earth, He was God in the flesh living a life of humility, showing others the path to the Kingdom of Heaven. We see the humility of Jesus in His birth. There is nothing spectacular about his entrance into this world. It all begins with our God coming into the world in the form of a baby… a weak, helpless, and needy baby. Not a strong warrior or mighty king, but a baby. We read that He was born in a little town called Bethlehem, and this is significant because Micah 5:2 prophesies this, but the town is so insignificant that it is not even listed in the list of Judah’s towns in Joshua 15. Not only was he born a weak little baby in an insignificant town, but he was born to a simple carpenter and a young mother. Then to top it off, the angels do not proclaim the birth of the savior of the world to the masses. Instead, they proclaimed the Savior’s entrance into this world to a group of Shepherds. Yes, smelly, stinky, and insignificant shepherds! Don’t you think Jesus could have had better PR than that? Wouldn’t it have been better to announce the birth of the Savior of the world to the city of Jerusalem? Or maybe they would send a wire to the Jerusalem Times that the long-awaited Messiah had come, and now He would start the process of setting up His eternal Kingdom? Maybe they could have called JNN Jerusalem News Network and had an anchor come and report on this event for the world to see. No, God chooses shepherds. We have in the Biblical account… The Savior of the world came to the earth in the form of a weak, helpless baby, born in a small insignificant town to a young mother and a Jewish carpenter father (who wasn’t his biological father). Angels heralded his birth to a group of stinky, smelly shepherds who were tending to their sheep, and eventually (probably one or two years after his birth), some wise guys came along and gave Jesus some sweet gifts. There is certainly no glamour in all of this! Jesus had a rather humble beginning to life; certainly, things will get better as he gets older, right? Wrong! When we glance at Jesus’ life, we will see the opposite is true. First, Jesus was tempted by Satan as an average ordinary man. You can read the account in Matthew 4. Why was he tempted? Isn’t He God? Couldn’t He have just told Satan to take a hike and got on with his life? Hebrews 4 says, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." He was tempted so he could sympathize with our weaknesses and yet show us that we do not need to give in to temptation. Why would a king allow this to happen if He didn’t truly love and care for his people? Secondly, Jesus was a carpenter from an average family. Mark 6:3 says the people questioned Jesus’ wisdom by asking, “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. The leader's question implied, “He is a common laborer, not a King, and most certainly, not the Savior.” His immediate family—mother, brothers, and sisters—were known to the townspeople as ordinary people. Thirdly, we see Jesus’ humility in the fact that He didn’t even have a home. In Matthew 8:20, a Scribe told Jesus He would do whatever it took to follow Jesus, "And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” As Lord of the universe, He could have lived in mansions created for glory or even a semi-decent house, but the Bible tells us He had no home. Fourthly, Jesus did have a moment where He accepted worship as a King. However, it wasn’t as a valiant knight on a white steed parading into town as a victorious warrior. Instead, He came into town on a colt, a simple work colt. Fifth, he refers to himself as a servant, and a servant King is what He was. Philippians 2:5 – 7 says, "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." This tells us a lot about Jesus Christ. He made himself nothing and became a servant. How many leaders or kings do you hear who believe that’s their calling in life? Lastly, we see the humility of Christ in the way He died. He did not die of old age or die during battle as a warrior. No, He was crucified and died an excruciating, painful, and dishonorable death. That He gave himself over to death is an act of humility. He has the power to defeat death, yet he becomes subservient to it. Yet He did this because this was the plan from the beginning, and He needed to make a way for man to receive salvation. Conclusion What’s the point I am trying to make? Jesus was born in humility and lived a life of humility as a servant, who, tempted to sin, did not give in. He had no home; he was eventually hailed as the Messiah but on the back of a donkey and was killed a week later as He hung on a cross. We can see and understand that our Lord lived a life of humility on this earth. Of course, today, He is seated at the Father's right hand and will someday return as a triumphant King. But for now, we wait and anticipate and look to him as our example of how we should live our lives here. Our Lord lived as a humble servant. He served the needs of those who had needs, He became subject to earthly leaders, and He didn’t put His own needs before the needs of others. What does this show us today? As we enter the Christmas season, let us humbly serve one another. Yet, not just our own families or church but truly seek ways that we can serve others in the name of Jesus Christ. I am not sure how you will do it, but it could be as simple as assisting someone less fortunate, buying a gift for a child whose parent(s) are incarcerated, dropping off some cookies to a neighbor, or inviting someone to worship with us this Christmas season. Be creative, think outside yourself and your family, and seek ways to serve others in humility in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
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Jeff has been in full-time ministry for thirty years. He currently serves as Executive Director at Anchor House Ministry at SeaPort Manatee in Palmetto, FL and he is a part-time Campus Pastor at West Bradenton Southside in Bradenton, Florida.
Jeff Has authored A Lent Devotional (A Spiritual Journey to Lent) an Advent Devotional (The Advent of Jesus) and a devotional on the book of James (James: Where Faith and Life Meet). All three are available on Amazon. He is married to Carrie and they have four children, Micaiah, Gabe, Simon, and Berea. Preview or purchase Jeff's Books
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