13th Day of Advent
Written by: Frank Raike
Reading: Psalm 24:7-10
“Lift up your heads, O you gates;
Lift them up, you ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in.
Who is he, this King of glory?
The Lord Almighty—-
He is the King of glory.”
Psalm 24:9-10
As a child, Christmas is often about getting gifts; the most gifts and the best gifts. As an adult, Christmas becomes about giving, rather than receiving. Adults become the givers of the most gifts and the best gifts.
But then, the slogan slips somewhere into our lives somewhere along the Advent period. Maybe it's on a sign in front of a church or on a received Holiday Greeting. "Jesus is the reason for the season". Then, at this reflection, we might be humbled, slip a $20.00 bill in the Santa kettle in front of Publix, and walk away.
During this Advent season Philippians 2:1-11 calls for us to be unified in Christ, not be selfish, but be humble. However, the humility that the scripture is referring to is not an emotionally-needy type in order to feel good about one. Nor is the show type in order to manipulate others. And definitely, to be humble is not a negative humility of self-deprecation of being the "special" giver of gifts, the most gifts and the best gifts.
The humility expressed by Paul in his letter to the Philippians, has the focus on God and on others, rather than oneself. It is an awareness of others, on their strengths and virtues that is humility at its finest. In other words, this humility has at its basis; love! Negative humility focuses on self, one's inadequacies or one’s compensating for such. But positive Christian humility is motivated by love and a focus on others.
So this Christmas give the most and best gifts in love and for the focus of others.
Prayer: Lord, during this Christmas Season, help me to give and receive gifts with humility and love to and for others. Amen
Written by: Frank Raike
Reading: Psalm 24:7-10
“Lift up your heads, O you gates;
Lift them up, you ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in.
Who is he, this King of glory?
The Lord Almighty—-
He is the King of glory.”
Psalm 24:9-10
As a child, Christmas is often about getting gifts; the most gifts and the best gifts. As an adult, Christmas becomes about giving, rather than receiving. Adults become the givers of the most gifts and the best gifts.
But then, the slogan slips somewhere into our lives somewhere along the Advent period. Maybe it's on a sign in front of a church or on a received Holiday Greeting. "Jesus is the reason for the season". Then, at this reflection, we might be humbled, slip a $20.00 bill in the Santa kettle in front of Publix, and walk away.
During this Advent season Philippians 2:1-11 calls for us to be unified in Christ, not be selfish, but be humble. However, the humility that the scripture is referring to is not an emotionally-needy type in order to feel good about one. Nor is the show type in order to manipulate others. And definitely, to be humble is not a negative humility of self-deprecation of being the "special" giver of gifts, the most gifts and the best gifts.
The humility expressed by Paul in his letter to the Philippians, has the focus on God and on others, rather than oneself. It is an awareness of others, on their strengths and virtues that is humility at its finest. In other words, this humility has at its basis; love! Negative humility focuses on self, one's inadequacies or one’s compensating for such. But positive Christian humility is motivated by love and a focus on others.
So this Christmas give the most and best gifts in love and for the focus of others.
Prayer: Lord, during this Christmas Season, help me to give and receive gifts with humility and love to and for others. Amen
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