Advent means “the coming” of the Messiah. As we journey through this season, each candle reminds us of the hope we have in Christ. The first candle, the Prophets’ Candle, represents Hope. The second, the Bethlehem Candle, reminds us of Faith. The third, the Shepherds’ Candle, points us to Joy. And the fourth, the Angels’ Candle, declares Peace.
Advent is the period leading up to the day when we celebrate the first coming of Jesus. It is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the world. It is the fulfilment of the promise that the Messiah would come. Often, the New Testament accounts of Jesus’ birth read in this season are from Matthew 1 \& 2. Luke 1 \&2. But there’s also an account in John 1 that speaks of the 1st coming of Christ.
Everything about the Christmas Story overflows with an abundance of generosity from God towards all of us. This has stood out even more so because of the messages about breaking the scarcity mindset. We saw how both sons in the story of the prodigal son had a scarcity mindset regarding their generous father. None of us is immune to a scarcity mindset. We all have to be intentional about renewing our minds. There is an abundance of humility, love, life and light.
John 1:1-5 (AMP): In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being. In Him was life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it].
John 1: 9-14 (AMP): There it was—the true Light [the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light] which, coming into the world, enlightens everyone. He (Christ) was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognise Him. He came to that which was His own [that which belonged to Him—His world, His creation, His possession], and those who were His own [people—the Jewish nation] did not receive and welcome Him.But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name— who were born, not of blood [natural conception], nor of the will of the flesh [physical impulse], nor of the will of man [that of a natural father], but of God [that is, a divine and supernatural birth—they are born of God—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified].And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, [the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth (absolutely free of deception).
THREE THINGS TO NOTE IN THE CHRISTMAS STORY
1. HUMILITY WAS IN ABUNDANCE IN THE CHRISTMAS STORY.
Jesus was born in a stable and placed in swaddling clothes in a manger, a trough that would have hay and grain put in it to feed livestock. Here we see the King of Glory, the bread of life Himself, being placed in a manger in a stable (John 6:35). The manger may have been small, simple and not a place one would think the King of kings would be born in! But there was nothing scarce about this moment. This profound, humble moment was the fulfilment of a promise given 100s of years prior that the Messiah would come. But it’s not just the physical setting that was so humble. The fact that deity chose to come down and become human. The creator took on the created form. Such humility!
Jesus continued to live a life of humility. In John 15, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. In this time and culture, washing of feet was a necessary task because of the dusty roads. This task was deemed to be a demeaning one done by the lowly servants, which is why Peter said, ‘No way, you will NOT wash my feet’.
Philippians 2:8 (AMP): And after He (Jesus) had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!
Such an abundance of humility! We can ask ourselves in this Season - in what area of our lives do we need to humble ourselves and let Jesus minister to us? As we meditate on the humility shown in the Christmas story - our response will be to worship!
2. THE LOVE OF GOD IS IN ABUNDANCE IN THE CHRISTMAS STORY.
John 3:16 (AMP): For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world, that He even gave His One and only begotten Son so that whoever believes and trusts in Him as Saviour shall not perish, but have eternal life
There is no scarcity of Love when it comes to your heavenly Father. He will NEVER run out of love for you or our world because He is Love.
1 John 4:8 (AMP): For God is Love. (He is the originator of love, and it is an enduring attribute of His nature).
There is 100% love for all of us! God’s love towards humanity (you and your loved ones) leads to the most extravagant, overflowing, abundant, everlasting love for your life. God sent His Son (Himself), He got involved Himself. He wants to stay involved in our lives despite our sins, imperfections, and bad choices. He is LOVE and wants us to know \& receive His abundant love.
Here, Jesus is praying for those of us who believe in Him \& this is what He prays:
John 17:23 b: That the world may know that you sent me and have loved them as you have loved me.
3. LIFE AND LIGHT ARE IN ABUNDANCE IN THE CHRISTMAS STORY
Light is mentioned x7 in John 1!
John 1:4-5 (LEB): In him was life, and the life was the light of humanity. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
The Greek translation of the word “life” here is zōē. This differs from the Bios life, which is the physical existence. Zoe is the abundant, spiritual, eternal, divine life that God imparts to us at salvation. No scarcity in this kind of life. The God kind of life! “Zoe-life” is an overarching theme in John’s Gospel. God does not want us to remain as we are: we have the opportunity every day to keep growing.
John 12:46 (CSB): I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me would not remain in darkness.
Darkness can also mean ignorance – as in just not being aware. Conversations with people over the last two weeks have shown where areas of scarcity in their thinking are being challenged as the Holy Spirit is shining a light on them. They are being stirred up to renew their minds to what God says about these areas.
What is that for you? What area do you need God to shine his light on? Will you HUMBLE yourself and MAKE ROOM for the Holy Spirit to speak into your life and lead and guide you into ALL Truth? Will you take the Word of God and apply it to your Life? Will you humble yourself and ask a friend within this community to come alongside you?
Our God has been and is so generous to us because He is an abundant God. Exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or think (Eph 3:20). Our prayer is that this Christmas season, the scarcity mindset that wants to hold us back from all He has provided will be broken as we renew our minds to the abundant zoe kind of life God has already provided for us, which will bless not only your life but all those around you.
PERSONAL REFLECTION
- Write down the “One Thing” that stood out to you from today’s message. How can you see this in your day-to-day life and apply it this week? Who can you share it with?
- As we reflect on the humility, love, life, and light revealed in the Christmas story, where have you allowed a scarcity mindset to shape your thinking? What would it look like to intentionally renew your mind with the truth of God’s abundance this week?
- God’s love is abundant to everyone. This Christmas, why don’t you trust God to reveal his abundant love to friends and family who are yet to know him?
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your humility that meets us where we are, Your love that never runs out, and the life and light You freely give. This Christmas season, we ask You to help us lay down every scarcity mindset that limits how we see You, ourselves, and others. Renew our minds with the truth of who You are—an abundant, generous, and faithful Father. Teach us to walk in humility, to receive and reflect Your love, and to live in the fullness of the zoe life You have given us, Amen.