So what is the real Christmas spirit if it is not giving gifts? I think Phillipians 2 holds the key to this answer. It is not as tangible as a gift, but far more transformative if understood correctly.
Bible
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:4-6
Christ-centered humility is the real spirit, not only of Christmas but the entire Christian life. This humility is not nurtured through trying harder to be humble (that actually has the opposite effect), but by submerging yourself into the Gospel of grace. It is only when we see that the Creator of the universe humbled himself to become a baby in a manger, dying on a cross - and it is only when we see that he did that for us that we begin to think and act in a humble way.
"Our sin was so great, nothing less than the death of Jesus could save us. He had to die for us. But his love for us was so great, Jesus was glad to die for us." Tim Keller,The Advent of Humility
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, as we get a chance to ponder the birth of Jesus Christ over the festive season - help us to remember that manger lead to the cross. Please help us to see the cost of our sin, to hate it and to love you more and more as we see what you've done for us.
Amen
Every blessing for the festive season and the new year
Kruger
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