Dear Friends,
Christmas is about God coming down to our level and reaching out to us in our human condition. We call it the Incarnation. In the book, The Jesus I Never Knew, Philip Yancey speaks of; “The Visited Planet,” and quotes a poem by George Herbert:
The God of power, as he did ride
In his majestick robes of glorie
Resolv’d to light; and so one day
He did descend, undressing all the way.
Why would God willingly suffer such shocking humiliation by becoming one of us? Smaller and smaller and smaller the God of the universe had to shrink to enter Mary’s womb as a single tiny cell. In Philippians chapter two we read an ancient Christian hymn filled with phrases describing the humility of 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. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-8). “He made himself nothing!” This is the mystery of the incarnation.
The child born on that Holy Night was God coming among us disguised as a baby. The Angel announced to the terrified Shepherds, “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12b) There is something disarming and accessible about a baby. In Jesus, God became approachable. Through his humility Jesus left us an example to follow. This Advent season as you reflect on the incarnation may you hear a call to be his presence in a hurting world. It is my prayer that each of us would display the humble spirit of Jesus in how we live and interact with one another.
On behalf of the CABC President, Mrs. Goldye Smith, the Council and the CABC Staff, we extend to you and your family our sincere hope that you will have a joyous Advent Season. Thank you for your faithful support of our shared ministries and your partnership in the Gospel as we continue to serve the Lord Jesus Christ together.
Dr. Peter Reid
Executive Minister, CABC
