Philippians 2:6-8 – A Christmas Demotion

Daily Devotional Bible Verses

who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by 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 (Philippians 2:6-8, ESV)

Every year as my family decorates our Christmas tree, my face reflects back to me from an ornament hanging on the tree. As I look at my reflection, I remember the Christmas that my grandfather died. As kids, we tried to be happy by making funny faces appear on the round colorful balls hanging from the tree at Grandmother’s house. That was over thirty-five years ago, yet the powerful emotions of Christmas make memories linger on.

Christmas must bring bittersweet memories for God the Father. I cannot imagine a pain greater than losing a child. I do know the great joy and blessing of seeing my own children born. I cannot imagine God sending His Son, knowing that He would be killed. Don’t skim over the above verses. Jesus was equal in every way with God. Grasp the significance. Jesus gave up His place with God. He was there before the beginning of time, receiving the praises of the angels. He gave up his position, to become like you and me. Would you and I have done that?

The Christ child’s birth was a divine demotion. It is hard for us to understand as we scratch, claw and climb ladders for promotions in the world. Christ was counterintuitive in every way. Why? He became like us, to share all our emotions and experiences. He became like us to be able to be a very personal God — a God that fully understands us spiritually, emotionally and physically. He became like us, to die for all of us.

If painful memories and sad emotions grip your heart this Christmas season, I pray you will remember the divine demotion that Christ took for us. Whatever emotion you are feeling, He has felt. Whatever troubles you, He has been there. Friends and family members sometimes abandon us, but He never does. Those of us who are Christ-followers know that we truly have a friend in the Christ child (John 15:15).

Think on the love of God as he gave us His son this Christmas.

Guest devotion by David Massey. David is a horse farmer and real estate appraiser. He is trying to become a fully devoted follower of Christ. You can become a guest writer also.