Have you ever stepped into a room or place that felt beneath you? A bathroom so dirty it made you wrinkle up your nose? A bedroom so messy you felt out of place? Imagine what it must have been like for God to leave His heavenly throne and wrap His majesty and glory in human flesh.
Consider the sins you’re currently battling that you identified at the start of this guide.

How are your struggles rooted in pride, or a view that your own desires, needs, and strengths are paramount?

Read Luke 2:1-7
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

How long had Mary been pregnant when they traveled away from their home to Bethlehem for the census? What about Joseph’s lineage made it so that he had to go to Bethlehem to be registered?

Most modern-day doctors tell pregnant women to stop traveling in the last month of their pregnancy. Mary surely wanted to be at home, preparing and waiting for the child she had been expecting for nine months, but circumstances forced Joseph and a very pregnant Mary to travel to Bethlehem. When Mary finally went into labor, perhaps she thought, Here? Now? I’m going to give birth to the Son of the Most High God—the One who is to take David’s throne—in a stable?
*But God does not make mistakes. The anointed King would live a life marked by humility from His very first breath. Not a warm hospital bed, but a cold and dirty manger. Not a crown of gold, but a crown of thorns.*

Read Philippians 2:5-11
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 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.

According to the text, why has God exalted Jesus so highly?

In God’s kingdom, the way up is down. Jesus humbled himself to the lowest level from His very first breath. The only uncreated being faced the lowliest of births. He left heavenly hosts for the company of sinners, left the highest throne for an old wooden cross. He, the highest and most worthy to be praised, washed the feet of the most undeserving.

Look back at those sins you listed at the start of today’s devotional. Are any of your struggles a result of trying to climb up or gain higher status instead of pursuing humility?

Read 1 Peter 5:5-7
5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

What does it look like to clothe yourself in humility? What are the promis- es in this passage that will help free you up to pursue humility?

Do you know why we have the strength and ability to humble ourselves? Because of Christmas. God, perfect and holy and without need, took on the likeness of men and became a baby. He not only died to set you free from the consequence of your pride, but His Spirit took up residence in your heart. He is now constantly with you and always urging you away from pride and toward humility.