We are all familiar with the biblical account of the conception of Mary and the birth of Jesus in the stable in Bethlehem. We celebrate that precious birth today, some 2000 years later. Christ descended the stairway from Heaven one step at a time to be made in the likeness of men. He took upon himself not only our humanity but also the form of a servant. Christ was born a man because that was the best way for Him to serve us. The services we most needed were to have “God with us,” and to have God die in our place - meant Jesus had to come to serve us in the flesh. But just for a minute I want you to think about what He gave up. Christ was willing to be anchored to one place, to a human mind, to the aches of the human heart. I love the quote by John Donne, “T’was much that man was made like God before, but that God should be made like man, much more.”

The son of God decided to step away from His divine advantages and make Himself nothing. He took on the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness, the better to serve. And in the end, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death for you, for me, for whoever will receive what He did at Calvary’s Cross.

Let us rejoice this day in the birth of our savior, but let us remember it was a countdown to the old rugged cross whereby men could be reconciled to their heavenly father.