Children love to open presents.
And they often love to be the presents. They unwrap that toy that they have always wanted, rip open the box, and immediately role play. It is then that they become the toy. The toy is paraded around the carpet as they stoop down low, change their voice and enact what it is like for them to be the toy.
That role play may last for a time, but usually not too long. Something soon brings them back to reality. Whether it’s the smell of the freshly baked cookies coming out of the oven or the friend that has come knocking at the door, the role play is limited to a quick and a distant memory.
But like the child who soon forgets his role, so also do we forgot the role we are to play in life. As followers of Christ Jesus, we are called to imitate him for far more than a pocket, or even season of time.
In fact, at this time of the year, where we celebrate the Incarnation, we are called to behold this wondrous doctrine—not just as an education, but as an example. The apostle Paul unfolds the example of Christ to the followers of Jesus in Philippi, and the lessons of the Incarnation continue to be our beacon in an ever-growing season of indulgence. Consider two lessons from the great passage on the Incarnation in Philippians 2:5–8.
THINK LIKE CHRIST
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 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.
Christmas is the time where we think of others. Indeed, it is, and often we can trick ourselves into thinking that we really are thinking of others. I mean, others are on your Christmas gift shopping list, right? However, that kind of thinking is hardly any different to those outside the body of Christ today. Marketing and media are all about you thinking of others—as long as it helps their bottom line. The lesson of the Incarnation for us is not simply to add others to our gift-giving list.
Instead, consider concrete ways where you can think of others. Yes, that is your rightful place in the busy check-out line, but will you lay aside that right for the flustered young parent behind you? Yes, you are free to eat whatever you like this Christmas, but will you lay aside that liberty for the sake of your brother who has struggled with gluttony in past Christmases? And it may be right to drop off a gift at another’s home. But, what of laying that aside for the gift of invitation—the effort of time and hospitality as you welcome another in your home? Yes, you have lots to do, but how many of those things are what you are called to do (Romans 12:13)?
Think like Christ this Christmas. Following His example, we do not count equality with our rights, plans and desires a thing to be grasped. We lay them aside for the sake of others.
FOLLOW LIKE CHRIST
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Christians follow Christ. He, of course, is our Head (Colossians 1:18), and the One we must follow (John 12:26). Yet, in the Incarnation, we must not lose sight of the fact that Christ obeyed the Father in all things. Christ came to die, as God willed it (Acts 2:23).
Submitting yourself to another person—that is what obedience is. And again, here we can miss the real example if we are not careful. Actually buying that gift that another desires or even attending a function at another’s request is not obedience. The lesson of the Incarnation for us is not simply to get the right gift or say yes to each invitation.
Instead, following Christ’s example means often making some tough decisions that others may not like, as opposed to decisions that simply make others feel better. Following Christ means you follow after the will of God, and not the will of man. Yes, your co-workers may really desire for you to join them at the work Christmas party, but the location, the behaviours, and the celebrations may actually be of an attitude that moves away from Christ.
And in that sense, God’s will is not only clear (1 Corinthians 15:33; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5), but the one we must follow. Yes, both families of the newlywed couple want the young married pair to join them for Christmas, and continue their traditions. However, the son or daughter now has a spouse to love and respect (Ephesians 5:22-33), and God’s will to follow (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5) as they carve out a new life and space together. And it may feel very good to fulfill your child’s desires for that one, “have-to-have” gift, but is that fulfillment actually giving into a very different desire that stands against the teachings of patience, gratitude and prudence that you have been teaching your children the rest of the year?
Follow like Christ this Christmas. Following His example means we humble ourselves in submission to the will of God, even to the point of death for all other desires, no matter how costly.
Think like Christ. Follow like Christ. These are two lessons of the Incarnation. Tis the season of abundance and excess. Yet, in the Incarnation, Christ modeled for us what it means to deny ourselves according to the will of God, for the sake of others and for the glory of God. As we consider the freedom won for us in Christ, may we reflect this Advent on His example: The great denial of the Son, setting aside His rights, for our sake, in obedience to the Father. That is our great lesson in Christ. May we live out that incarnational truth this Christmas—in Christ.
