2015 is almost at an end here in So Cal. I wish to conclude the year and the Advent Season with a look at the final chapter from the Advent devotional. It speaks of humility with the focus on Philippians 2:6-8, "Though he was in the form of God, [Jesus] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
So we are called to join Jesus in this conscious selfhumbling and servanthood. “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5).
Let’s pray that this “shy virtue”—this massive ground of our salvation and our servanthood—would peek out from her quiet place and grant us the garments of lowliness this Advent. “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (1 Peter 5:5).
Because he emptied himself, became obedient to the point of death, because he came to serve and give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45), we now have grace in abundance that enables us to likewise be humble. Oh, that I could make that my focus for the coming year.
I found this song on a recent album download from Relevant Magazine. If it doesn't play here, you can click on the link and play it there. It's a lovely Christmas song, but I also think it works for the New Year… Wake Up! It's 2016!!
Here's the 2016, Happy New Year!
All Things Elda 