The Christmas message began with angels making appearances.  First to Zachariah, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not BELIEVE my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” Luke 1:19-20 The appointed time for John the Baptist aligns with God’s plan for our Lord and Savior’s wonderous, intellectually confounding, glorious birth. Even the wise men traveled to the palace to inquire of the king. 

We were created in God’s image, with a high purpose, in our mother’s womb. When we come to the end of our ways, His grace overshadows the prideful, selfish ways of mankind. Humbling ourself, we acquiesce to God’s perfect Way and return to our proper place of submission before God.  We are rightly overwhelmed by God’s great love in providing such lavish, undeserved grace in His salvation plan.  To live as His servants to all — we must take on the humility of Jesus. Humbly we worship the Giver of all good things. By His grace we examine our motives with the Light of Love that God uses to illuminate our ways. Humility never belittles our royal positon in Christ with self condemnation.  In obedience, we admit our struggles in prayer. In the eyes of our Father, we are His jewels.  Joyfully we empty our hearts to return to useful clay in His capable hands. With glad vacancy, we invite God to be our everything. Sin is not what humbles us the most. Our sensitivity to His Spirit, aligns our spirit in humble submission by His grace. The soul that sees its sin and turns to God, winces as they recognize just the backside of God’s glory. The glorious side of humility is to recognize the example of Jesus who gave up His throne to walk among us. On the path to grow into his likeness, we humbly wear a robe of great blessing — His righteousness. Jesus became a servant and He told us, whoever wants to be first among you must be your servant. There is nothing more heavenly than serving and helping others.  We therefore humble ourselves before God and He lifts us up.

The angel Gabriel appeared before a youth named Mary. “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Luke 1:28 Explore the virtue of the humble heart of Mary and the all knowing heart of the high priest Zachariah.  To have a meek and humble heart before God avoids any needed disciplinary delays.  Meekness is described as a calm and gentle disposition. Humility is the posture that fosters greater faith and harmonious interactions. Meekness is characterized as a gracious softness that allows individuals to navigate challenges with a tranquil spirit. “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power, because You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:11. In the beginning, when God created the universe, His purpose was to share His perfection and joy with His creatures. His desire is always to reveal love, wisdom, and power, by filling human beings with as much of His goodness and glory as they are open to receive. Knowing that we can do nothing to please our Father, apart from Him, we rely on Him for all provision.  God is always present, and working to uphold everything by His power.

We exist in a constant state of total dependence on Him. With humility, we admit, “God made me.” As His empty vessel, we are His servants to use. We discover our purpose with joy in being nothing so that God may be all. The new life in Christ is not a one-time gift.
His Holy Spirit flows constantly from God by His supernatural power. A humble heart has complete dependence on God. The loss of humility is pride, which is the root of all sin and evil. The angels fell as they admired themselves with pride. In both heaven and earth, pride and self-exaltation are the  beginning to the curse of hell. Pride was why the highest angels were cast down. Jesus humbly lifted our fallen flesh by His willing sacrifice. God’s purpose is to raise new creations out of our fallen, sinful nature.  The spiritual conflict will exist until the last trumpet declares through all eternity that evil begins only in pride and ends only in humility. Pride must die in us, or nothing of heaven can live in us. Do not see pride as just an unworthy temper, nor humility as only a modest virtue. Pride is death. Humility is life. Pride is hell. Humility is heaven. The more pride we have, the more of evil is in us. The more humble we are, the more the Lamb of God dwells in us. If we could see what each wink of pride does to our soul, we would beg God to tear that viper out of us. If we grasp the sweet, divine, transforming power of humility, how it drives out the poison of our nature, we would rather choose to be the footstool of all the world than be without the smallest measure of humility. Jesus came, to bring humility back to earth, to make us share in it, and to save us through it. Jesus humbled Himself to become a man.

The humility we see in Him on earth was already His in heaven. Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to death. His humility gave His death its saving power. Through His humility, we are redeemed. The salvation Jesus gives is nothing less than sharing in His life and death, His heart, His spirit, His humility. Humility is the foundation of His relationship with the Father and of His saving work. His humility is our salvation. His salvation is our humility. Only with humility can we remain in God’s presence or enjoy His favor and power. The angels told Mary. “God has found favor in you.” Without humility, there can be no steady faith, no real love, no lasting joy or strength. Humility is the only soil where all other graces can grow. Without humility, every failure can be explained. Humility is not just one virtue among many. It is the root of all, because it alone puts us in the right position before God and gives Him room to be all in us.  Humility is not something we bring to God, or something He gives to us. It is the deep awareness of our total nothingness that comes when we truly see that God is everything. In that awareness, we give God the space to be all in us.

Believers are wise when they are quiet to listen before they speak  in both of their relationship with God and others.  Obedience to  the two  commandments: love God and love one’s neighbor. Meekness enables individuals to accept God’s will and endure trials without resentment. The numerous benefits, include personal peace, better health, and improved relationships. A meek disposition allows individuals to manage anger constructively, promoting emotional and spiritual well-being.  Cultivate meekness by avoiding situations that provoke anger. Practice self-control, and respond to criticism with gentleness.  Reflect on your recent responses. Full of grace?

1 Peter 3 “The unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. All saints, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the HOPE that you have. Do this with gentleness and respect, for it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”