Christmas celebrates the birth of our Savior. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke tell us the story from an earthly perspective. Jesus came to us. We received God’s greatest gift. But have you ever wondered what that first Christmas was like in heaven?
The book of Philippians gives us the story from a heavenly perspective. More than likely this passage of Scripture was a hymn of the early church.
5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
6 Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.Philippians 2:5-11, NLT
Before He was born as a babe in Bethlehem, Jesus eternally existed with the Father in heaven. In order to provide salvation for mankind, Jesus had to humbly lay down His “divine privileges” and wrap Himself in flesh.
What kind of things do you think Jesus left behind when He left the glory of heaven?
Think about the fact that God Himself took on human form. What were some of the implications for Him? (For instance, Jesus would experience illness, hunger, and temptation.)
Jesus did all this for you and me. This Christmas contemplate the sacrifice Jesus made in simply coming to earth.
Let’s voice our praise to Jesus today!
It is so humbling to think about how Jesus left heaven so that we can spend eternity with Him. He gave up everything in order for us to gain everything.