Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2.9-11
Christmas was God's most successful setback. He has always delighted to show his power through apparent defeat. He makes tactical retreats in order to win strategic victories.
Consider the story of Joseph from Old Testament. Joseph was promised glory and power in a dream (Genesis 37.5-11). But to achieve that victory, he had to become a slave in Egypt. And as is that were not enough, when his conditions improved because of his integrity, he was made worse than a slave--a prisoner.
But it was all planned by God himself. There in prison, he met Pharaoh's butler, who eventually brought him to Pharaoh, who put him over Egypt. What an unlikely route to glory! But that is God's way--even for his Son. Jesus emptied himself and took the form of a slave. He became worse than a slave--a prisoner--and was executed. But like Joseph, Jesus kept his integrity. "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow" (Philippians 2.9-10).
And this is God's way for us, too. We are promised glory--if we will suffer with him (Romans 8.17). The way up is down. The way forward is backward. The way to success is though divinely appointed setbacks. They will always look and feel like failure.
But if Joseph and Jesus teach us anything this Christmas, it is this: "God meant it for good!" (Genesis 50.20).
This is an excerpt from 'Joy to the World-Daily Readings for Advent' by John Piper.
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