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. (Philippians 2:5-11; ESV)
Father, affect and shape our minds with the Gospel of your Son so that we would resemble Jesus in the way we think and live. The King of Kings has humbled himself to redeem and reconcile us, so may we serve our neighbor with similar humility. How out of place and dangerous is the pride of our hearts, Lord, when we consider who you are and what you have done for a people like us. Work humility in us, so that we can obey your command to love our neighbor. Work humility in us, so we can trust your word and ways more than our own, and obey your commands more than our selfish desires. Especially at Christmastime, we see your goodness, love, and grace displayed in Jesus, who being God himself became like us to rescue us. As we wait for the day when every knee will bow in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth to confess Jesus as Lord, we now confess and trust his lordship over us today. Amen.
Shore Community Church 