The True Christmas Spirit

In the Church, the seasons of Advent and Christmas are especially known for their beloved hymns, which we dust off and sing with much joy and not a small bit of nostalgia. Some of these are taken straight from Scripture, like Mary’s Magnificat recorded in Luke’s nativity account. But did you know that the Apostle Paul also records a hymn regarding Christ’s incarnation in one of his letters? 

This is found in Philippians 2, and has been called the Carmen Christi—Hymn of Christ—for most scholars believe that this passage is actually an ancient song sung by the early church. Paul introduces the hymn with the exhortation, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,” and then writes: 

“Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil. 2:5–11).

Now this is a marvelous passage to sit and meditate upon this season. But, as the Apostle Paul wrote in his preface, we are not meant to merely acknowledge or admire Christ Jesus in this, but imitate Him. 

In the life of Christ, we receive our marching orders and chief example for what it means to live for the glory of God and the good of others. The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mt. 20:28). This is the path to true exaltation, and we are to go and do likewise.

The late J.I. Packer once wrote that the “Christmas spirit does not shine out in the Christian snob. For the Christmas spirit is the spirit of those who, like their Master, live their whole lives on the principle of making themselves poor – spending and being spent – to enrich their fellow men…” 

And so in this busy Christmas season, gladly lay your life down. Die daily. Imitate the One who poured out His life for you. Offer all that you are to the Lord as a living sacrifice, as you celebrate the God who was “pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel.”