Are you feeling spiritually sluggish and seemingly unable to break out of it? Are you frustrated at the fact that you're not growing? Perhaps you are misunderstanding God's clearly defined plan for your sanctification, or the process of spiritual growth.

Jesus said, "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (Matt. 23:12). He demonstrated that principle when, having emptied Himself of significance in coming to take upon humanity, and humbling Himself to the point of death in the place of sinners, the Father highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name.

As if the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ was not enough, not only did He empty Himself of significance in coming to take upon humanity, but in His humanity He humbled Himself in obedience all the way to death on the cross. The attitude He had when He willingly walked down these steps of condescension is the same mindset His followers are to have in relation to one another. Nothing less than this is the true spirit of Christmas.

Have you ever come to grips with the fact that perhaps the greatest problem in your life is...you? This is why Christ Jesus came into the world. He came to save sinners. But in coming to do so, He gave us the ultimate example of what it means to turn from our pride and selfishness and instead to count others as more significant than ourselves. This is the true spirit of Christmas: the mindset of Christ revealed in the wonder of His incarnation.