How to Get Ready for Christmas
Scripture Reading — Philippians 2:1-11
Have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had …
Philippians 2:5
Some 30 years ago, while spending a few weeks in India on a ministry trip, we met a man named Scott. Several years earlier he had left his home country to bring the good news of Jesus to the people in India. He did that by becoming one with the people of India. Instead of retreating into a home behind a locked gate at night, he lived with “untouchables,” people who were destitute and despised by all the other classes in their culture. He understood the implications of Jesus’ example for his own life. So he tried to have the same attitude as that of Jesus.
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, we should ask ourselves, “How should I display the attitude of Christ as I live my life? What does it mean for me to have the mind of Christ? How does it show? Am I willing to be the least? Am I willing to take the back seat? Do I serve my spouse, my parents, my children, my colleagues and coworkers?”
The greatest honor we can give our Savior is by imitating him and seriously asking ourselves, “What would Jesus do?” Make this Advent season a time of renewal and rededication. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you imitate the Lord by serving others. Beginning at home, look for specific ways to serve so that through you others may catch a glimpse of the Savior whose birth we are about to celebrate.
Help us, Lord God, in this season and throughout the coming year, to have the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus. We pray in our Savior’s name. Amen.
About the author — Arthur J. Schoonveld
Rev. Art Schoonveld is a retired minister in the Christian Reformed Church. Before retiring in 2001, he served churches in California, Illinois, and Michigan. Since his retirement he has worked part-time for the denomination and has served as an interim pastor. Art and his wife, Anita, have four children and nine grandchildren.
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