This Christmas season one thing that has struck me is thinking about the humility surrounding Christ’s entrance into this world.
From the different definitions, from a quick google search, for the word humility, I like the following definition the best:
the feeling or attitude that you have no special importance that makes you better than others; lack of pride.
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Let’s first take a look at Mary, the mother of Jesus. In my eyes, I consider Mary to be a woman who exemplifies humility.
We do not hear of her being popular in this world or of high status.
Here she was just a young gal, “…a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.” –Luke 1:27 (NIV)
The angel, Gabriel told Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” –Luke 1:35 (NIV)
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. –Luke 1:38 (NIV) I think that final response displays humility on Mary’s part. She is trusting God and ready to be a part of His plan.
Mary gave us a powerful example of humility, yet she graciously accepted God’s plan of being the mother of Jesus! She was the humble maid servant of God who through the Holy Spirit birthed our Savior!
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Just as important is to keep in mind the humility of Joseph.
Upon first hearing that Mary was going to have a child, he did have in mind to divorce her quietly, but when “…an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” –Matthew 1:20-21 (NIV), Joseph did what the angel had commanded him to do.
Taking someone to be your wife, when she is pregnant with the Son of God is humility on Joseph’s part. He, too, gave us a powerful example of doing what God tells you to do despite what others may think.
Photo credit by frankieleon under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)
At Christmas time, I think it is always a blessing to ponder the circumstances of Christ’s birth. Despite being the Savior of the world, He was certainly born in humility!
How many people do you know were born while their parents were at the end of a three day walking trip back to their home town to register for a census? “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” –Luke 2:6-7 (NIV)
Imagine giving birth to the Savior of the world in a barn like place and having to place the baby in an animal trough because there were no rooms available!
Jesus was born in the humblest of ways, yet He is the Savior of the world! Being the Savior of the world is the ultimate success that anyone could experience.
So, this Christmas season, I pray that you ponder the powerful example of humility that Mary, Joseph, and Jesus gave to us over 2,000 years ago.
Let us focus on what we can learn and apply to our lives from their humility yet success in fulfilling God’s plan for their lives and for our sake. And let us lead lives in humility yet successful ways for our loving God!
May you remember the reason for the season….celebrating our Savior and the freedom He has brought us!
Merry Christmas my dear friends!
…God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. –1 Peter 5:5-6 (NIV)
So the last will be first, and the first will be last. –Matthew 20:16 (NIV)