Christmas Should Change How We Relate to One Another

When we celebrate Christmas, we are celebrating the wonder inspiring truth that God became flesh and lived among us. This glorious event was celebrated by angels singing on that first Christmas night, and is now celebrated around the world by billions of people each year. The theological term for the event we are celebrating is “the incarnation”.

In the Bible, theological truths are often presented in order to change how we think and live in our everyday lives. Theology, correctly understood, is always practical and relevant. One of the clearest examples of this principle is found in the second chapter of Philippians. Here we will find, marvelously woven together, both a moving theology of the incarnation and an urgently practical appeal to live our lives with a type of humility which leads to unity.

The Wonder Inspiring Theology of the Incarnation

Jesus was in Heaven before He was in Bethlehem.  He existed in the form of God. He had never experienced feeling cold or tired, much less pain. Then, in order to save us, He became one of us. Even among humans, he chose a poor family and an incredibly humble setting to be born into. He came knowing that He would feel cold. He would get tired and thirsty. In fact, He came so that He would have a human body that could and would feel pain.  The pain of crucifixion.  He came so that He could die. For us.

The Urgently Practical Application

Paul, inspired by the very same Holy Spirit who came upon a young virgin to work the miracle of incarnation, explains some very practical ways in which knowledge of the incarnation should change how we live.

Jesus is the only human being who ever lived who actually was better than everyone else. He was more valuable than you and I are.  Yet, He acted as if we were more valuable that Himself.  He came for our benefit.  He served us.  He washed the feet of others. And He died for us.

If Jesus treated other people as if they were more valuable than Himself, how much more should we! If Jesus humbly served others, how can refuse to do the same? The point is not that other people are actually better or more valuable than you are.  The point is that you should follow the example of Christ and live as if your neighbors, friends, family, and fellow church members are more valuable than you are.

If we live with this Christ-like humility, one beautiful result will be much greater unity. So much conflict is motivated, at least in part, by a lack of humility.  We so often fail to do this:

in humility value others above yourselves,

not looking to your own interests

but each of you to the interests of the others.

(Philippians 2:3b-4 NIV)

This Christmas, may the Holy Spirit apply the theology of Christ’s incarnation to our hearts so that we all become more humble, value others above ourselves, and serve others even when it requires sacrifice.  Then we’ll experience more unity and harmony, and the light of Christ will shine more brightly through us.

Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others . . .

Reading the Bible is Like Snorkeling at a Coral Reef (updated for 2021!)

And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures . . ." 

(Genesis 1:20a NIV)

The sea is his, for he made it . . .

(Psalm 95:5a NIV)

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. 

(Psalm 96:11 NIV)

This photo reminds me of snorkeling at Bira

One of my happiest memories from our years living in Indonesia was snorkeling over a coral reef.  About once a year we would take a retreat to a beach called Bira which was 5 hours from our home.  That’s five hours over roads full of holes, bumps, and “exciting” bridges.  But it was worth it. There are many beautiful parts of God’s creation, but nothing I’ve seen compares with the stunning beauty of thousands of fish of many bright colors and all types of shapes swimming around you in a warm tropical ocean over beautiful coral. Every time I got to see the teeming coral was a worship experience. And there was so much to see.  No matter how many times I had been, there were always new types of fish and new beauty.  And the fish I had seen before were not any less splendid.

To me, reading the Bible is like that.  There are beautiful, encouraging truths everywhere.  And even though I’ve been reading it for as long as I can remember, God is constantly opening my eyes to see new aspects of His truth. I see more and more beauty.

When one first goes snorkeling, a lot of energy may be spent on the process of snorkeling.  It takes a little time to get use to breathing through the snorkel and learning how to clear it comfortably when water gets in. Even so, the very first time I went, I was stunned by all the beauty.  But as I became more comfortable with the snorkeling itself, I enjoyed seeing the coral world more and more.  I think Bible reading is like this.  At first you’re trying to get “oriented” in the new world of God’s Word.  Yet even those first experiences are rich with new revelation and encouragement. But the more you learn from God’s Word, the more you are able to see and learn new things.

I could have gone to Bira and just stood on the beach and remembered the last time I went snorkeling.  But if I had done that I would have missed out on so much.  In the same way, remembering that we have read the Bible in the past is not the same thing as opening it and reading it anew.  We need to dive into God’s Word again, expecting Him to give us new strength and show us new truths.

Of all my snorkeling adventures, there is one which stands out as sweeter and more wonderful than any of the others.  It’s not because I saw something especially amazing that time.  It is because I was snorkeling with Joy, my daughter.  It was our last trip to Bira before it was time to move back to the US.  Joy had reached a point where she was a confident and strong enough swimmer to go snorkeling with me. Together we saw lots of fish, an eel sticking out of a crevice, a big jelly fish which we almost ran into, and a sea snake which we were glad did not come too close.  The fact that I saw these things with someone I love made the experience all the more wonderful.

Snorkeling with Joy at Bira

I believe something similar happens when we read the Bible with other Christians (and people who we hope will become Christians!).  When we see wonderful things in God’s Word and share insights, thoughts, questions, and testimonies with each other, Bible reading becomes even more wonderful.  If you’re relatively new to reading through the Bible, having some more experienced friends along can help you as you go.  This isn’t to say that we shouldn’t read the Bible on our own. We should spend private, quiet time prayerfully meeting with God in His Word.  But there’s something extra when we learn from the Bible together with others.

So, I’ve set up a Facebook group for people who want to read through the New Testament together in 2021.  We’ll read the same passages each day, and then we can share thoughts, questions, insights, and testimonies with the group.  Sound good?  You’re welcome to join us.  You’re also welcome to copy this idea (I’m sure I’m not the first to do something like this) and start a group especially for your own family, friends, and neighbors.  Here’s the link to the one I’m starting:

 

Treasuring God's Word

(I first posted this for a similar group that read through the Bible in 2018. By God's grace, that group went well, so I'm starting this new Bible reading group for 2021. We'll be reading through the New Testament together in about 6 months, starting on Jan 1, 2021.)


Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others . . .