We Christians know the Christmas story really well. Jesus is God’s gift to us. And so at Christmas, we celebrate with gifts to the ones we love. However, I think we have forgotten something – the story is a bit deeper than that!
The Christmas story is that God humbled (literally lowered, humiliated) himself for those in need. Here's how the Bible puts it:
[Jesus] who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking on the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross. – Philippians 2:6-8
God stripped himself of eternal riches and became a poor human in a poor family in our broken world.
Jesus lowered himself massively and came into our world because we needed him to. We needed him to die for our sin, and he humbled himself to do that.
We were spiritually poor, but God lowered himself to make us spiritually rich (Eph. 1:3).
How to really celebrate Christmas
So, how should Christians celebrate Christmas?
Like Jesus did, we too should humble ourselves for the benefit of those in need.
Instead of spending heaps of money on presents your family or friends don’t really need, why not give to those in need as Jesus gave his life for you when you were in need?
Why not give so that the hungry can eat?
Why not give so that the thirsty can drink?
Why not give so that the needy can receive?
This Christmas, celebrate “Jesus style”. Celebrate Christmas by lowering yourself for those in need, and giving to those in need as he has given to us.