This Christmas, the word that is highlighted in my heart by the Holy Spirit is the word HUMILITY. Christmas for me is about HUMILITY. Humility is the pre-requisite, the highway, the entrance, and the essential attitude to PEACE. No humility, no peace. To Know humility is to know peace. Consider JESUS, high and lifted up! Enthroned above the heavens. Worshipped by the angels from eternity past. He gave up His lofty place of honour and came to earth as a helpless baby so PEACE can come to earth. Hark the herald Angels sing Glory to the new-born king Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled... Philippians 2 says: 5 "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus; 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Matthew 23:12 says: "For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." JESUS is Humble and in His ultimate display of humility (and humiliation) not just in the manger, but on the CROSS, He also displayed His glory! That's why He is called the Prince of PEACE - for PEACE is only possible through humility, and HE is the One who brought us PEACE. The innocent Saviour extended His nail-scarred hand to the guilty sinners like you and me to make PEACE and be reconciled to God, the Father. (2 Cor. 5:18-19; Romans 5:1, 10-11) We ask what does CHRISTLIKENESS mean? Christlikeness means HUMILITY. Humility is elusive because it cannot be achieved but can only be imparted when we walk with the Prince of Peace. One can never assume that he is humble for the very moment we think we are humble, we've already lost it. As we follow the Lord, we grow a desire to be humble. Oh, how beautiful and admirable humility is - for it is the very nature and heart of God! Lucifer fell on the very sin nature of pride and in his cunning have led Adam and Eve to think that they can also be equal to God; independent and can know everything by eating the fruit. Let's be reminded: "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." - Proverbs 16:18 "Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honour." - Proverbs 18:12 Humility is so attractive and so honouring to God that he bestows more grace to those who humble themselves. 1 Peter 5:5-6 says: Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. and James 4:6-7 echoes the same instruction: But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Resist the devil and he will flee from you. The enemy cannot distract, discourage, defeat or deceive a humble child of God! For the Lord is with him/her and his/her heart is forever anchored in the Lord.
Oh Holy Spirit, form in us the same attitude, mindset and behaviour of Christ Jesus our Lord! Allow us to learn from His example and guard our hearts against pride. Remind us of who you are and who you have called us to be. Humility is one of our greatest weapons against the enemy. Remind us that we can only truly worship you if we humble ourselves and submit to you! We love you JESUS and we want to be like you! Through Your Son’s Name, we ask you Father, Amen
