Friday night, my husband and I went to see the new movie, "The Nativity Story". It was the best Biblically based movie I have seen in ages! The screenplay (written by Portland's own Mike Rich) was faithful to the Biblical account, and the movie was high-quality and very enjoyable. This will definitely be a must own DVD when it comes out.
As many times as I have heard the story of Christ's birth, I was emotionally moved as I watched Mary hold him there in the stable and the shepherds and wise men make their way to see this Blessed Gift from God. I was once again humbled to think of the great sacrifice that God made out of His love for us and desire to provide a way for us to live in relationship with Him.
The entire movie experience was a much-needed reminder of the true meaning of Christmas amidst the scurry of shopping and preparations that come with the season. This was a message that I think God wanted to make sure I had firmly rooted in my brain this year. When I later read the devotional reading from Our Daily Bread, the entry for Friday, December 1 was a perfect complement to the movie I had just seen.
If you haven't read the devotional for that day yet, I highly recommend that you read it. The subject is "Christmas Spirit". In it, the author, Dennis De Haan, reminds us that the Christmas Spirit is not defined by tinkling bells, the sound of Christmas carols, or a good feeling. The true spirit of Christmas is humility. It is the humility that Christ demonstrated when He came to us in the form of a tiny baby and walked among His creation. (Philippians 2:5-8) The version of Our Daily Bread that I receive from ChristianCourses.com contains an additional "Insight" section for the day's scripture reading. I thought this one was particularly appropriate:
Philippians 2:5-11 describes "the kenosis theory." This key theological concept comes from the Greek word kenoo, translated "made Himself of no reputation" (v. 7), or "emptied Himself" (KJV). It refers to the commitment Christ expressed in coming to the earth. He set aside ("emptied Himself of") His divine right to choose and submitted fully to the purpose and will of His heavenly Father. This great humility is the centerpiece of the "mind of Christ" (v. 5) that Paul challenges us to emulate.
To have this mindset of Christ - where we have emptied ourselves of any right we think we have to choose for ourselves and to instead live in full submission to the will of God - that is the true Christmas Spirit.
And the greatest thing of all? Christmas Spirit of this kind doesn't end when the needles fall off the Christmas tree. It can be had year-round!
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