The Humility of Christmas

"Why have we come to this odd corner of the town?" Scrooge asks the Spirit of Christmas Present as he looks around a poor street in London.

"It's Christmas here, too, you know," answers the spirit.

As I drove home last Sunday night, this scene from A Muppet Christmas Carol (my family's favorite version of the classic Dickens story) suddenly came to my mind...I was driving past one of the housing projects in town, and several of the units had Christmas lights and decorations that created a cheery sight for passers-by to enjoy.  Seeing this and remembering that "it's Christmas here, too" made my heart happy.

I was also driving home from the hospital, having just visited friends and their tiny newborn who wasn't even yet 24 hours old.  I thought about how Jesus left all the glory and power of heaven to become likewise for our sake and so that He might dwell with us.  I recalled one of the verses we had read earlier that night in church:

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name 'Immanuel' (which means, God with us)." -Matthew 1:23

As all these thoughts gently mixed in my head, I was struck with the humility of Christmas.

"My soul magnifies the Lord, 

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for he who is mighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his name.

And his mercy is for those who fear him

from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm; 

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;

he has brought down the mighty from their thrones

 and exalted those of humble estate;

he has filled the hungry with good things, 

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy,

as he spoke to our fathers,

to Abraham and to his offspring forever."

~Luke 1:46-55