Come and gaze on that manger. Do you know of any other kingly baby who was, of his own will, laid in a manger? Gaze on Him, wearied with His journey, sitting at the well. See Him on the hillside, when all others went to their own home: for He had no home to which He might go.

See the foxes and the birds: they had their homes, but the Son of Man had nowhere to lay down His head until He came to the cross; and having cried, "It is finished!" He laid down His head on the cross-- the only place in this world where we read He ever laid down His head.

Watch Him as He hungers; hear Him as He cries, "I thirst! Listen as He groans and as He weeps. Remember, this is He Who is equal with God, Who subsisted in the form of God; but He made Himself empty. "You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9).

More than fifty years ago that one little verse, those few words, "Christ Jesus made Himself of no reputation," changed my whole life and my whole outlook on life. May God grant that these same words may change the lives of some of you, my beloved readers!

G. Christopher Willis