Christmas in Philippians

We don’t usually think about Paul’s letters much this time of year, but there is some Christmas in Philippians.

[This Christmas Eve advent discussion can be read in less than 7 min.]

Philippians: Shine Like Stars – DAY 58
Family Discussions for Advent

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DAY 58/CHRISTMAS EVE
Philippians 2:5-11
Christmas in Philippians

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

⁶Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage;
⁷rather, He made Himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
⁸And being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!

⁹Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place
and gave Him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2:5-11 (NIV)

^{*Click here to read the ESV, NLT, & NIrV.}

This will be our last post of 2022 & the last post to follow along with the weekly themes of Christmas Advent — hope, peace, joy, love, & Christ — in light of our Philippians focus verses this month.

May our families shine like stars as we hold firmly to the word of life this Christmas!

Advent: Christ

Here is Christmas in Philippians:

“…rather, He made Himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.”
Philippians 2:7 (NIV)

When Jesus came to earth as a baby boy, He, the Master & Creator of all, willingly became the Servant of all creation.

Humble Savior

“…but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”
Philippians 2:7 (ESV)

The same verse, this time in the ESV, uses “emptied Himself” rather than “made Himself nothing.” I like what J.I. Packer has to say about the theology of this concept:

“When Paul talks of the Son as having emptied Himself and become poor, what he has in mind, as the context in each case shows, is the laying aside not of divine powers and attributes but of divine glory and dignity, ‘the glory I had with You before the world began,’ as Christ put it in His great high-priestly prayer (Jn 17:5).”
J.I. Packer, Knowing God

When Jesus came to earth as a baby, He was still God in power & in attributes, yet He set aside His divine glory & dignity for a time so we might be saved through Him.

He set aside dignity… for a time

The Christmas story marks the start of the time when Jesus set aside His dignity.

dignity:

1. The quality or state of deserving esteem or respect

2. Inherent nobility & worth

3. Poise & self-respect

4. The respect & honor associated with an important position

Jesus is more deserving of esteem & respect than anyone ever! He set that aside for our hope.
Who is more noble & worthy than Christ? No one! He set that aside for our peace.
The Son of God has more poise & self-respect than we could ever dream of attaining. He set that aside for our joy.
There is no more important position than the right hand of God the Father. He set that aside out of love for the Father Who so loved us.

Christ Exalted, Dignity Restored

“Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place
and gave Him the name that is above every name…”
Philippians 2:9 (NIV)

After His crucifixion & resurrection, Jesus was given the highest position & greatest name in the Father’s kingdom — He did not have to set aside His dignity forever.

To God Be the Glory

“…that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2:10-11 (NIV)

When Jesus is glorified, God the Father is glorified, and there is much, much more glory coming their way in the future, when every knee bows & every tongue confesses that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!!!

Luke’s Christmas story gives us a preview of that.

Glory to God in the Highest

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests’.”
Luke 2:13-14 (NIV)

When the angels announced Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem to the shepherds, they praised, saying “Glory to God!” We can join them this Christmas, saying & singing “Glory to God!” for what He has done, is doing, will do… and for Who He is.

There’s nothing worth more.

I want to close this discussion the same way I wrapped up DAY 35, with Philippians 2:5-11 in The Message paraphrase.

Before I do that, however, I want to load Paul’s words from Philippians 3:7-9 in our minds:

“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ⁹and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”
Philippians 3:7-9 (NIV)

What is worth more than any gift under any Christmas tree, than a stellar reputation, than holiday fun & excitement, than being loved & beloved by friends & family — worth more than anything?

Knowing Christ Jesus my Lord