Keeping the Grinch Out of Our Christmas
This Week’s Scripture Reading
Philippians 2:5-11
5Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. 6Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. 7He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. 8And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross. 9Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Prayers for the Week:
Sunday |
Heavenly Father, I pray right now for the same attitude that was in Christ Jesus! It is so easy to talk about following Jesus and being His servant, but I want to BE His servant! Fill me with Your Spirit that I may be and live as Your servant! Amen. |
Monday |
Heavenly Father, This week’s Scripture reminds me that I am so selfish most of the time. I don’t want to empty myself or humble myself. Forgive me, God! Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may live that live of humility with joy. Amen. |
Tuesday |
Heavenly Father, Jesus took the abuse of the world upon Himself for me. I praise You for such amazing love and willingness to serve. Thank You for giving me new life—eternal life through Him. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Wednesday |
Heavenly Father, I know that unless You send Jesus back to the earth to claim His own, I will die one day. I pray that I may live in obedience to You that I may die in faithfulness, and bring You glory and honor, even in my dying. Amen. |
Thursday |
Heavenly Father, Thank You that Jesus showed the way for me to live—for all of us who bear His name to live. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may represent You well to those around us. This I pray in the strong name of Jesus! Amen. |
Friday |
Heavenly Father, I pray for those who today are feeling like the “Grinch,” for those who have no joy in this season. Pour out Your Spirit and fill them with Your grace, Your love and Your joy. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Saturday |
Heavenly Father, as we move to the last week of this Christmas season, I pray that those who are thinking only of the world’s way celebrating Christmas will be touched by You to celebrate with Jesus at the center of it all. Amen. |
Background on the Text
This passage of Scripture is often referred to by biblical scholars as the “kenotic” passage, because the word for “emptying” in Greek is “kenosis.” Perhaps the most amazing reality ever known to humanity is that Jesus, who is in His very nature God, emptied Himself and became a human being! The Christmas story we love so much, is the beginning of God’s journey among us as one of us, which ended with the apparent defeat of the cross, and the amazing victory of the resurrection. This week’s reading makes it clear that even the resurrection is not Jesus’ greatest moment—God is going to cause every person—EVERY person—to bow before Him one day. For us who know Jesus, that will be a day of immeasurable joy. For those who do not know Him, it will be immeasurable agony. The Apostle Paul makes it clear that our attitude as Jesus’ followers is to be the same as Jesus’. That means our heart must always be to point everyone to Jesus—everyone includes those we don’t like as well as those we do, because once we know Jesus, we are to become humble servants who are just like Him!
Monday
Observation: What does the text say?
Tuesday
Interpretation: What do these verses mean?
Wednesday
Application: How can I respond to the text’s insights and teachings?
Thursday
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
Encouraged and strengthened me by:
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Fallen short areas:
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What will I do with these insights?
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Friday
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
What did God say to me this week?
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Share insights and growth points
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Changed/transformed how?
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Saturday
Reflective Thoughts