“But emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:7
December 19, 2025
Unfortunately the Christmas season is filled with theological additions and subtractions regarding the person of Jesus Christ. Sentimentalism has created a Jesus who is light years away from the Jesus of the Bible. The purpose of His birth is lost under the rubble of man-made ideas. Philippians 2:5-11 tells us that Jesus was born to willingly subordinate Himself to become a servant. That babe in the manger reveals a change in Jesus’ position. He did not set aside His deity, but instead changed the manner in which His deity was expressed (“though He was rich, yet for our sake He became poor, that (we) through His poverty might become rich.” 2 Cor. 8:9). The Savior did not surrender any attribute of His deity. He voluntarily submitted the exercise of His attributes to the Father’s will. The fact of his omniscience did not cause Him to use His infinite knowledge to make His path easier. He remained omnipotent (all powerful), but yet He grew weary from walking and working, and teaching. Jesus, therefore, changed in His form, from the form of God to the “likeness of men.” He became subject to temptation, distress, weakness, pain, and sorrow.. This is our Savior. This is the identity of that “babe in the manger.”
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Reflections: How does a better knowledge of who Jesus is help you to worship Him more meaningfully at Christmas?
How do others see your servanthood to Christ as you live in their presence?