Philippians 2:6–11 ESV

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Recently in a staff meeting we were talking about how its tradition to take the whole month of December and dedicate it to Jesus’ birth.

That is 1/11th of the year.

Now, we were discussing how this is more of a cultural norm rather than a biblical norm. But it did get me thinking about this question:

Why is Christ’s Birth So Important?

Now, in asking this question, I wasn’t trying to discover reasons why we should dedicate 1/11th of our preaching calendar to it. But i just wanted to grow and appreciate what it is we celebrate on Christmas.

I decided to look at Philippians 2 in order to do this.

I’ve probably said this here before: Philippians 2:6-11 is my favorite Christmas text.

You might say, “Why on earth would you consider this passage a Christmas passage?”

I’m glad you asked.

You see, Philippians 2 gives us, not a narrative perspective of Christ’s birth, but a theological perspective. Or a doctrinal perspective.

I’ve found three parts to this theological perspective.

The Price of Christ’s Birth

The Potential of Christ’s Birth

The Purpose of Christ’s Birth

The Price of Christ’s Birth

Infinite Humility

Philippians 2:6–7 ESV

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

The Potential of Christ’s Birth

Human Relationship

Philippians 2:8a (ESV)

8 And being found in human form...

The Bible is literally made up of true stories detailing God’s gracious actions of condescending towards humanity in order for them to know Him personally.

God’s ultimate act of this is seen in the birth of Jesus.

The infinitely humility of Christ’s birth was purposed in order for us to relate to God in a way we never had before.

Prior to this moment we had to relate to God with a disadvantage. He is infinite holy God and we are not. We can’t identify with His holiness. We can’t identify with His immortality. We can’t identify with His eternal experiences.

For instance. I love my dog Judah. But I cannot relate with him relationally. He doesn’t understand what it is to long to be father. He doesn’t understand the heartache of wanting people to come to Jesus. I don’t understand his strange obsession with squirrels. The sad reality is that I get angry at Judah when he acts like a dog! And he gets annoyed at me when I act like a human! Most of the time I’m demanding that he act like a human. But it’s impossible for him to do it!

Every other religion demands that humans ascend the hill and identify with God or a god on their own turf. Which is completely impossible.

But Jesus is God meeting us on our turf.

Found in human form. Needing food. Needing water. Grieved by the human condition.

The Purpose of Christ’s Birth

Atonement, Resurrection, & Glory

Philippians 2:8–11 (ESV)

… he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.