When we imagine God, we think of a very powerful and awesome God. But isn’t it very hard to imagine that same God born in a dirty manger, among smelly and noisy barn animals. He was not born in a palace with kings and queens. The King of kings came to us in a manger, which gives us this amazing message: God humbled himself to our level because He loves us above all things. This teaches us to:
- Think less about ourselves and more about others.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)
Jesus thought of us first by choosing a lowly entrance as a human to teach us and restore our nature through His blood on the cross. Can we do even a fraction of that to our neighbours? If we take Jesus as an example in our lives, we will be able to put others above ourselves and even sacrifice out of our own comfort for them, just like Jesus did. - Love to achieve humility.
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2)
What was Jesus’ motive to do all these things for us, from his birth to his death and resurrection? It is love. Because He loves us, God sent us His only son. We must also humble ourselves for others out of our love for them. Without love, we will find no need to be modest but with love we will be humble, gentle and patient with one another.
Our God was born in a manger, teaching us a wonderful lesson about humility. Through Christ’s modest birth, He teaches us that without love, we can never sacrifice ourselves for others or serve them selflessly.