How to Cultivate Christlike Humility This Christmas
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Sometimes, even secular Christmas movies can teach us a powerful truth. As I watched Jingle All the Way, I laughed at how two rival fathers, in a last-minute shopping spree on Christmas Eve, fought over getting the hottest toy of the season, wanting to impress their respective sons. One father tracked down the lone Turbo-Man action figure, and the rest of the movie poked fun at their crazy antics to snatch it from each other.
Suddenly, amid the hilarity, I thought about how each father felt entitled to the gift, and how their moral codes were tested in the pursuit. The main character finally learned the real meaning of Christmas and felt foolish about his prideful, misguided quest.
I wondered how many of our Christmas traditions are tainted with proud thoughts, attitudes, or actions. Christmas should be wrapped with humility. This season, we may need to cultivate humble hearts.
Jesus Came to Us in Humility
The most profound way to cultivate humility at Christmas is to remember how Jesus came. In heaven, Jesus received honor and glory due to Him. He had all the rights of power and sovereign rule that the Father had; but in the greatest act of humility ever, Jesus left heaven to become our Savior. The Father sent Him to accomplish this task and Jesus humbly obeyed.
Although the song “Away in a Manger” presents an idyllic, somewhat sanitized version of Christ’s birth, it depicts the nativity as a humble scene: a simple, loving mother and her faithful husband, a borrowed place to stay and the animal trough where Mary placed her baby, lowly shepherds from the fields and lowing animals.
A great company of the heavenly host praised God at Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:8-14). Though powerful and intelligent, the holy angels are also humble, not seeking their own glory but entirely serving God as ministering spirits. The Bible suggests they are also curious about the events happening on earth and are fascinated by God’s plan of salvation (1 Peter 1:12b). Imagine them seeing Jesus, so soon from heaven, lying in a lowly manger.
While earthly royals are born in luxury, the King of King’s birth could not have been humbler. Jesus came, not in power and might, but in obscurity and weakness as a baby. Jesus didn’t cease being God, but He intentionally veiled His glory when He came to the Earth that He created to dwell with and redeem His people (Philippians 2:6-7).
Christ’s humility continued throughout His life as He willingly took the form of a servant, was homeless, and was often misunderstood. People thought Jesus was crazy and they laughed at Him. We might think Jesus was above being hurt by this, but humanly speaking, the mocking had to sting. His ultimate humility came when “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross” (Philippians 2: 8). The Christmas season is a wonderful time to thank Jesus for humbling Himself so we can receive salvation in Him.
How Pride Might Appear at Christmas
One would think that Christmas — a time when we remember the birth of Jesus — would be celebrated with humility. Certainly, we sing praises to God in church, but much of gift-giving and decorating at Christmas doesn’t reflect humility. Everyone has the natural human anticipation that people will enjoy our gifts or admire our Christmas displays. But some take that to another level. For them, Christmas may be about an unhealthy desire to impress others.
It’s always wise to examine our motives. Paul asks us to consider whether we’re trying to win the approval of humans or God (Galatians 1:10). Trying to impress people suggests we are seeking admiration, approval, acceptance, or applause in places and people — and they can fail us. Trying to impress people often comes from insecurity, but Christians who are secure in their identity in Christ do not need to brag or impress others.
Pride at Christmas can also present itself in comparisons. Comparison can drive us to sinful competition, envy, and jealousy. We might want to buy our grandchild a better gift than another relative bought them. We might want bigger and better Christmas displays than our neighbors’, like in the movie Deck the Halls where two neighbors competed for bragging rights and one man’s overly-lighted home could be seen from outer space!
Often, comparisons stem from thinking we are better than others (or conversely, worrying that they are better than us). Paul reminds believers that we have received all things from God’s hand, so we should not pridefully boast about anything (1 Corinthians 4:7).
Pride Robs Us of Blessings
The writer of Proverbs tells us, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). God hates human pride but blesses humility. Humility brings wisdom, honor, and favor with God, but pride brings disgrace, humiliation, and downfall (Proverbs 11:2; 18:12; 29:23).
Pride has robbed mankind of the blessings of humility since the first couple sinned in Genesis 3. It was evident in the Old Testament at the Tower of Babel and in the stories of Pharaoh, Joseph, and Miriam and Aaron who resented their brother’s leadership. We also see it with King Uzziah, wicked Haman, Kings Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar, Goliath, King Ahaz, the rebellious prophet Jonah, and others.
It was observable in the New Testament in King Herod, Judas Iscariot who thought he knew better than Jesus, Peter who bragged that he would never deny Jesus, Ananias and Saphira who lied to cover their proud plans, self-righteous Saul, and many others.
Some, like King Nebuchadnezzar and Saul, learned humility — but the hard way. Our enemy Satan, who is himself proud, is out to destroy us. He wants to rob our lives by tempting us to be proud. But remember, God wants our lives to be fruitful and blessed through true humility.
Humility Means Thinking of Yourself Less
How do we know if we are proud? Trying to impress others and comparing ourselves with others has already been mentioned. But pride can also become evident at Christmastime when people decide to only associate with prominent people, for example at office parties and special events. Lowly men or women, those homeless on the street, or people struggling with various needs are somehow not even on their radar.
Paul urges believers not to be proud, but rather to “associate with people of low position” and not be conceited (Romans 12:16). Humility means seeking out people in need and seeing them through the eyes of Christ. Humility means ministering to others as Jesus would.
Being humble isn’t believing that we are insignificant. It’s not a matter of thinking less of ourselves. Rather, it’s thinking of ourselves less. It’s also thinking of others before ourselves. Jesus said many who strive to be first will be last and those who are last will be first (Matthew 19:30). He wasn’t talking about striving for excellence, He was warning about striving for position. Paul said we need to be humble and interested more in the lives of others than ourselves — we need to have the same humble and serving mindset as Jesus.
We might not recognize humility in ourselves when it’s there, but others will quickly notice when it’s absent. A self-inflated view is a big clue. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines humility as the quality or state of not thinking you are better than others. The key, again, is our mindset: we can’t become truly humble until we understand how much we need humility.
Psalm 25:9 says, “He [God] leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble his way.” In other words, as we humble ourselves, God will teach us how to live. Matthew quoted Jesus as saying, “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4). Jesus shared a powerful parable about self-exaltation versus humility.
God Wants Us to Cultivate Humility
God wants us to be clothed with humility (Colossians 3:12). It’s part of the “put off” and “put on” principle of Christian growth in Ephesians 4:22-24. We put off the old, corrupt self that includes pride, and put on the new, holy self that includes humility.
Christmas busyness can get frustrating, and that can lead to prideful expectations and anger. In the rush of holiday preparations, take time to focus on bringing glory to God through a humble heart. Prayer is a helpful tool for cultivating godly humility. When you notice pride is taking over, run to God in prayer and ask Him to search your heart and humble you. Sometimes it’s hard to discern between self-deprecation and humility, so ask God whether you are walking in genuine humility.
Also, spend time in the Word of God. Remember what Jesus accomplished for you on the cross. And because our hearts are deceitful, allow Christian brothers and sisters to point out points of pride. Don’t get angry; be teachable. Strive for peace and unity.
Micah says that walking humbly with God is a requirement for a relationship with Him (Micah 6:8). We are to humble ourselves now under God’s mighty hand knowing that, at the proper time — whether on the earth or in heaven — we will be exalted. As we walk humbly with the Lord, following in His steps, it might bring us ridicule and abuse, just as He faced these reactions (John 15:18; 2 Timothy 3:12). Humility can indeed be costly, but we cannot live in pride when Jesus humbled Himself to save us.
Bow in Humility Now — and Later
Humility comes with the proper fear of God. It’s not only reverential awe of Him but also understanding that He is in charge and is our Judge. We have to think beyond the baby in the manger to who He became.
To grow in humility before God during the holidays or any time, read Psalm 103:19; Isaiah 6:1-4; Daniel 2:19-22; Romans 11:33-36; and Revelation 4; 7:11-12. Meditate on who God is — ponder Him. Consider how much the Father loved us in sending Jesus.
One of my favorite Christmas hymns is not well-known in many churches, but it is steeped in the theology of the Incarnation of Christ. In “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence,” we’re invited to ponder nothing earthly-minded, but rather to ponder God’s marvelous plan for our redemption. This hymn, and others like it that encourage us to remember Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection, can help us bow our hearts before Him.
Mankind’s proper posture before God must be the bowed heart and humble mind, realizing we have no hope except Him and the salvation He has provided. Many — perhaps some of our neighbors, friends, or loved ones — will not come to God because of foolish, rebellious pride. Self-will prevents them from coming to Christ at Christmastime or any other time.
Those who do not bow their knee now and acknowledge the need for salvation will surely bow in heaven. Knowing this reality, we can take advantage of the Christmas season to share the Gospel with them. Our God is the God of the humble, and Jesus, born in a stable, is our humble King.
If you’d like a song to help turn your heart towards our humble king, I recommend this one.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/sofiaworld
