True Christmas Spirit
Devotions for Growing Christians
True Christmas Spirit
Philippians 2:5-8 – “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 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, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”
“Getting into the Christmas spirit” means different things to different people. For some, maybe it’s the nostalgic feeling of decorating their homes for the holidays. For others, maybe it’s the excitement of giving a special gift, or family coming home for the holidays. There are many ways to catch the proverbial “Christmas spirit.” Sadly, most of our secular culture’s “Christmas spirit” doesn’t involve a single meaningful reference to Jesus.
But what about followers of Christ? What should our “Christmas Spirit” look like? Luke 2 is the passage most associated with Christmas and the birth of Jesus, but probably very few think of Philippians 2:5-8. This brief “Christmas story” tells us that we’re to be characterized by the attitude of Jesus. Having the mind of Jesus means that we’ll display a Christ-like attitude of self-denial and self-sacrifice. So a true “spirit of Christmas” involves a selfless perspective.
Doctrinal significance
The great doctrine of the incarnation is contained in these few short verses of Philippians. The birth of Jesus is the story of Christmas — that is, God being born as a human being. This Scripture has often been misunderstood, so it’s important to look at these verses closely.
The first phrase of verse 6 tells us that Jesus did not become God at Bethlehem, nor did He cease being God at Bethlehem. Because He is God in the very essence of His being, He has all the external signs or manifestations of being God.
The second part of verse 6 shows us His amazing self-giving attitude. The Son of God never stopped being God, but He chose to set aside the signs of His deity. He voluntarily laid aside His divine privileges (but not His divine essence) when He came to earth. He never gave up His Deity, but He laid aside the outward signs of that Deity. There was no “Christmas card halo” around the head of that perfect Baby as He lay in the manger.
What about His divine attributes? His omnipotence (having all power), His omniscience (having all knowledge), and His omnipresence (being present in all places)? Did Jesus give up these qualities when He came into this world? Not at all. These attributes are inherent in the very nature and essence of God.
Throughout the Gospel record we see Jesus using His divine attributes in the interest of others. We see His omnipotence in His power over death and disease, and over nature when He calmed the sea (see Luke 8). We see His omniscience in His foreknowledge of His future: His suffering, His rejection, His death, His resurrection (Mark 8:31). The betrayal of Judas (Matthew 26:21-25). The denial of Peter (Mark 14:29-30). His death by crucifixion (John 12:32-33). His resurrection and ascension (John 14:28-29).
What about the Lord's omnipresence while He was here on earth? In Matthew 18:20, Jesus said, “For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” Although this statement is usually applied to His presence among us now, remember that He spoke those words in the present tense while he was bodily on earth. Of course Jesus’ human body was in only one place at a time, as is His resurrected body now. We’ll see our Lord Jesus in Person some day, and yet He is in our midst now. The Christian doctrine of the omnipresence of God is this: all of God in all places at all times.
Philippians 2:7 indicates that at the incarnation the Son of God took the "the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.” The point here is that God took on Manhood. The Son of God didn’t give up being God when He became human. He took on manhood in addition to being God. Jesus is not 50% God and 50% Man. He is 100% God and 100% Man!
When Jesus was on earth, there was nothing unusual about His appearance. He ate, spoke, and dressed like ordinary men of that generation and culture. The Lord's glory, majesty, and kingship were veiled. He was like a king who temporarily removed his royal robes and crown, and put on ordinary clothes to live among and identify with his people. He never stopped being the king, but temporarily set aside his majesty.
Practical significance
The apostle Paul wrote this great doctrinal passage because there were problems in the early Church. Many of the Philippians were selfish, proud, and only looking out for themselves (2:3-4).
Obviously this problem still exists today. No wonder God included the letter to the Philippians as part of His Holy Word. It’s the word of the Lord to us today, just as much as it was to the Philippian believers in the 1st century. As Christians, we’re to exhibit unity and unselfish love for one another in our daily lives.
Avoiding other believers and doing our own thing is not scriptural. We’re to look out for the interests of fellow believers (2:3-4). Ignoring and/or putting down other members of the Christian community is also not scriptural. We’re to reach out to those with whom we find it hard to get along (2:2; see also 4:2). We’re to strive for unity of spirit and purpose with Christians who don’t see everything our way (2:2; see also 1:27). This isn’t easy, but it’s scriptural! A true “spirit of Christmas” involves self-denial, self-sacrifice, and self-giving.
The Lord willingly surrendered what was rightfully His for the sake of others. This attitude should characterize us as well.
The supreme illustration of what it means to give up our own rights in the interest of others is the example of the eternal Son of God. He gave up the glory and majesty of heaven for us (v6). He identified with the human predicament by becoming Man for us (v7). He suffered rejection and humiliation for us (v8).
As the perfect Man and perfect Servant, Jesus voluntarily gave Himself for others to the point of death (v8). This mindset or attitude should characterize growing Christians. This is a Christ-like “Christmas spirit.”
- Dave Reid
(Updated 2021, Ron Reid)