One of the images of Christmas is the manger where the baby Jesus was born. It is a lowly piece of object that reflects the humble birth of Jesus the Messiah. Welcome to our series “12 Days Before Christmas.”

Isinilang ngayon sa bayan ni David ang inyong Tagapagligtas, ang Cristong Panginoon. Ito ang inyong palatandaan: matatagpuan ninyo ang isang sanggol na nababalot ng lampin at nakahiga sa isang sabsaban.

Lucas 2:11-12

Are you familiar with the saying, “born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth”? That’s how children of kings or business tycoons are described. Contrast that with “wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12, NIV). That’s how the birth of Jesus is described. Instead of a doctor and nurses attending to the newborn king, it was sheep and other cattle that welcomed Him.

Our Savior Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16, NIV). And yet, “He made himself nothing . . . being made in human likeness” (Philippians 2:7, NIV). He humbled Himself by becoming like us. On top of that, He was born in a lowly state that none of us would ever find acceptable.

On that first Christmas, Jesus did not come wearing the glory of a king’s robe and precious jewels. Instead, Philip Yancey writes, “The Messiah who showed up, however, wore a different kind of glory, the glory of humility.” And He lived and died in the glory of humility. “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8, ESV).

In the midst of our grand and glittery Christmas celebrations, we need to pause and reflect on the humble birth of Jesus. Let’s ask ourselves: Why are we celebrating Christmas the way we do? Why are we celebrating Christmas in the first place? Do our celebrations glorify God?

This Christmas, let’s revisit the first Christmas in its humble setting. Let’s worship the humble God born in a manger. Let’s also think if there are some things we need to change in how we celebrate Christmas. And more importantly, are there some things we need to change in how we live as followers of the King born in a manger?

May your Christmas this year be a meaningful celebration, worshiping the reason for the season, Jesus the Messiah. See you tomorrow as we continue our series “12 Days Before Christmas.”