Christmas Cardsfeatured

I was thinking of Philippians 2:6-8 as I worked on this painting.  In these poetic verses Paul focuses on two aspects of Christ’s purpose and mission on earth – humility and obedience.

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

We celebrate Christmas (and Easter) because of Christ’s humility and obedience to his Father. It is a bit mind-boggling that Jesus would humbly step down from his Lordship over all of creation and leave the perfection of heaven.  He left unimaginable splendor to be born in a feeding trough for farm animals – a huge step down from his throne!

During his ministry Christ willingly took on the role of a servant rather than demanding the homage to which he was entitled. As his ministry on earth was coming to an end, Jesus faced an agonizing choice. As the prophet Isaiah had predicted, God was asking him to endure an excruciating death as the punishment for the sins of all of mankind (that includes mine and yours!). Matthew 26:36-44 describes Jesus’ gut-wrenching prayer session with his Father as he chose to obey his Father.

At Christmas and Easter, we celebrate more than Christ’s humility and obedience.  We celebrate God’s one and only motive for sending his Son to earth – his perfect love. John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

How do we respond to such love? Paul prefaces his poem in Philippians 2 with the answer: “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had” (NLT). In Ephesians 5:1-2 Paul says, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Following Christ’s example is a matter of the heart and what is in our hearts shows up in how we interact with others. Humility and obedience flow from a heart filled with God’s love.  Too often, my heart gets clogged up with self-absorption, pride and rebellion and my behavior isn’t overflowing with Jesus’ love.

I wanted this painting to be a joyous celebration of Christ’s love, humility and obedience – the humility of a manger birth, the obedience of the cross, and a heart full of God’s love. I want it to remind me to follow Christ’s example.  I want to live into the beautiful (and convicting!) words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:3, “You show that you are a letter from Christ … written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”  During this season we can be Christmas cards from Christ!  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can show the true heart of Christmas to everyone we encounter.

May God bless you with a beautiful and blessed Christmas!