Christmas is the story of how God came to earth. We were not good enough to go to Him, but Jesus became human enough to come to us. Christianity is unique from all the other faiths. The other Faiths ask, “How can I find God?” Christianity is “God came to us.” Why Christmas? Let us demystify Christmas. God came to us because sin requires a Savior and forgiveness requires the shedding of blood. Philippians 2 is a story of Downward Mobility. It requires massive demotions.

“who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8)

Notice the steps down the ladder—— GOD TO EARTH TO MAN TO SERVANT TO DEATH TO CROSS TO EXALTATION.

We will not get the significance of Jesus’ descent down if we do not realize from where He started. Jesus was fully God, the second person of the Trinity. He had all the attributes of God. The angels worshiped him. He was not the Junior partner of the Godhead. He was God. Yet he said, “I will go… willingly. I will step down the ladder. It is the only way.”

Jesus did not grasp/hold on but took the first demotion. It was heaven to earth. Perfection to a broken world. Glory to a cattle trough. This was what scholars call the incarnation. God put on flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus did not give up his deity but laid aside the prerogatives and the display of his glory. Though rich he became poor.

Down the ladder he comes. Born not to a King’s family. Born in a stall to a blue-collar Jewish family. His first visitors were lowly shepherds. He was a Galilean who were known as rednecks. He comes not as an Emperor or CEO but as a bond servant. He washes feet and cares for others. At first, he had to ask his earthly parents about everything. Imagine how many people pushed him around.

Down the ladder more. The one who started life and who sustains life now gives his life. It is death in fact death on a cross. From sinless to sin stained. He went from the pinnacle of creation to the cross. At any point he could have stopped it. He could have called 10,000 angels or blasted his enemies. No. There was no sacrifice, he would not make. No depth to which he would not stoop. No burden he would not carry.

Try to imagine the descent he took from heaven to earth. It was incalculable. Riches to rags. Top to bottom. Does not the story stir your heart?

Dr. Michael Sprague serves as Louisiana State Chaplain with the Capitol Commission and President of Grace Adventures. He ministers in a non-partisan pastoral role at the Baton Rouge Capitol, offering Bible studies, prayer, and spiritual care to leaders. A former senior pastor, he holds degrees from the University of Maryland, Capital Bible Seminary, and Dallas Theological Seminary. He helped launch Touch Global Crisis Response after Hurricane Katrina and authored two books. Michael does life in Mandeville, LA with his wife Donna. His motto is “Bet the Farm on God,” reflecting his passion to help others know Jesus. You can find more information about Michael here.  

Photograph by DeepIMG