James 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Philippians 2:2-4 (English Standard Version)
2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,[a] 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,[b] 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,[c] 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.
Saternalia was a pagan festival celebrated around winter solstice that celebrated the Roman god Saturn. It was a carnival-like festival filled with banquets, raucous parties, greenery decorations, gift giving, and days off from work for everyone - even slaves. Saturnalia even pushed back on the social norms of the day allowing slaves to sit at the head of the table while being served by their masters! (https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-rome/saturnalia)
Eventually, the festival of Saternalia was redeemed by Christianity to celebrate the incarnation of our savior, Jesus Christ. During this season, do we celebrate the Christ-centered redeemed holiday of CHRISTmas, reminding others that Jesus Christ, the Son of God took on human flesh, or do we simply join in the pagan festivities all around us? Or maybe we really do emphasize putting “Christ back in Christmas” this season by upending our social norms, preaching Jesus, giving to others and showing Christ’s love for a short time only to slip back into the rut of normalcy for the rest of the year.
Christmas reminds us that we follow our servant-King who took human form, humbled himself, and was completely obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. To truly acknowledge Christ’s birth, we must live into the upside-down world where the meek are blessed, the poor are made rich, the weak are made strong, the humble are given grace and the proud are opposed by God. We must live daily into a Kingdom where where we count others more significant than ourselves, and look to the interests of others all year round!
Let’s be careful to not put Saternalia back into Christmas. Instead, let’s live into God’s redeemed Kingdom where, birth and resurrection, remind us each day that we live in a world God has turned upside-down: A world where every day should be a celebration of Christmas and Easter.
Merry Christmas!