Actually, it’s not quite fa la la la la time just yet. Thanksgiving Day is the traditional start of the holiday season. Many of you have been anxiously awaiting Thanksgiving Day for one very specific reason. You’re not exactly anticipating the turkey dinner or even the pie. You’re not pining away for a football-watching marathon.

What you’ve been looking forward to is the nonstop Christmas music on the radio. (We all know who you are.)

To celebrate the start of the (early) holiday season — and 24/7 caroling on the airwaves — we’re kicking off our 2018 Christmas Playlist series. Over the next few weeks leading up to Christmas, you’ll read about the Christmas songs, traditional and contemporary, that our columnists hold dear to their hearts.

I’m starting off this series with a song that puts Christ’s humility front and center. It’s called “How Many Kings” by the Christian group Downhere. (Give it a listen.) Don’t get me wrong. I absolutely love the songs that praise Jesus for His power, might, and strength. And … actually, this song does praise Him for all those things. Check out the chorus:

‘Cause how many kings stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many Fathers gave up their Sons for me?

Did you catch the power? The might? The strength? If you didn’t, that’s because they’re all cloaked in humility. Through His birth in a lowly manger, His life as a poor preacher, and His ignominious death, Christ embodied humility. He didn’t betray a single craving for prestige or position. He was humble — and simultaneously powerful and strong.

A king who serves rather than demands service.
A lord who leaves his luxury behind to pursue a higher purpose.
A God who loves first, regardless of being loved in return.
A Father who parts with His perfect Son in order to redeem His wayward offspring.

There is great might in meekness and great strength in sacrifice. As Christmas approaches and I have that nativity scene ever before me, I pray that I see that tableau for all that it represents. And the next time I’m exhausted by acts of service (or just the grunt work of daily life), may I remember my Lord and Savior and the example He set for me — all wrapped up in that image of majesty in a manger.

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.