Humiliation is a word we avoid. Yet Scripture teaches that Jesus chose it.

Theologians refer to Christ’s humiliation when discussing more than just His incarnation. They mean His entire path of lowliness. This includes His suffering, death, burial, and descent into the depths for us. The Son of God willingly laid aside His divine privileges and entered our poverty.

Luke tells us simply: “She gave birth… wrapped Him in swaddling cloths… and laid Him in a manger” (Luke 2:6–7). The beauty of the scene can’t hide its sadness. Mary gives birth alone. No palace. No attendants. No cradle—only a feeding trough.

The King of kings is born, not in a throne room, but in a stable. The Creator of all things is laid where lambs are placed—lambs destined for sacrifice. It is no wonder John later cries, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

From His birth to His cross, Christ embraced poverty for our sake.

“Though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Never forget what His humiliation has purchased. Through His life of suffering and His death of shame, Jesus secured our eternal glory.

His humiliation teaches us:

• Our need is more urgent than we first anticipated.
• God’s love is deeper than we first hoped.
• God understands our suffering more fully than we first imagined.

It also overturns the world’s values. Wealth and status promise much but save nothing. When money or comfort start to capture our hearts, we need to refocus. We must return to the manger—and to the Christ laid within it.

There we learn again where true riches are found. They are not in what we possess. They are in the Savior who humbled Himself to rescue us.