In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
Luke 2:1-18

The story of Christmas is the story of God bending down to us.

The God who bends reaches down to the very bottom in love.

God doesn’t go to the people at the top, but to those at the bottom in love.

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

God meets you at the bottom.  God doesn’t wait for you to climb to the top.

Bottom Line

The way God arrives in the world is to be our way in the world.

The Rub - Following Jesus requires us to embrace a life of downward mobility.

Action Steps

Two Invitations

1. Have you responded to the love of God revealed in Jesus?
2. Do you belong to a community seeking to live out the way of Jesus?
   

Prayer

Create some space this Christmas to sit with Jesus and prayerfully reflect on the following:

• Where is pursuing upward mobility getting in the way of following Jesus?
• How might Jesus be inviting you to move downward this Christmas?
  • Caring for someone in need
  • Spending time with someone who is lonely
  • Giving away money or possessions
  • Serving others with your time and energy
    

Practice

Identity someone without much “status” that you can shower with love this week.