When the angels showed up to announce the birth of the Messiah, it wasn’t to the priests in the Temple, or to King Herod in his palace. It was to a bunch of shepherds working the night shift. And God didn’t just come to associate with the meek and lowly, but to become one of them, to be born to poor parents in an obscure corner of the Roman Empire. Let’s face it – you can’t have more humble beginnings than to spend your first night in a feedbox for animals.

But it is still the case that God chooses to reveal His glory through humility. And why is that? The essence of God is love, and love by definition puts the needs of others ahead of the desires of the self. Love always puts the beloved ahead of the self. Love always considers the beloved more important than the self. It is thus impossible to be proud and loving at the same time.

In fact, the greatest love, as Jesus Himself said, is to lay down one’s life for another. And so He did that at the beginning of His life, making Himself the lowest of all human beings. And so He did on the cross, giving up His life so that we might live with Him forever.

That’s the amazing truth – from beginning to end, Jesus humbled Himself, giving up everything for us. So, how else can we follow Him unless we give up everything for Him and for others?

Luke 2:1-16 (KJV)

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.