He Made Himself Nothing

Paul takes us behind the manger to the staggering descent it represents. The One born in Bethlehem was "in the form of God", fully, eternally divine, equal with God. And yet He "made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men." The infinite God did not cling to His privileges; He emptied Himself, laid aside His glory, and stooped, down from heaven's throne to a feeding trough, down from the worship of angels to the helplessness of a baby, down from the form of God to the form of a servant. This is the longest journey ever made, and it was downward.

We must let the wonder of this land on us. The Christmas story is not merely tender; it is astonishing. The God who upholds the universe became a nursing infant, dependent on a young mother for everything. He who was rich beyond measure became poor; He who was highest made Himself lowest. And He did it for us, there was no other reason. This is the pattern of divine love: not grasping but giving, not ascending but descending, not standing on rights but laying them down. The greatness of God is most clearly seen in how low He was willing to go.

Worship the God who came down for you. And let His downward path reshape yours, for the mind of Christ is to lay down our rights in love, not cling to them.