Philippians 2:1-11
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:1-11)
On a trip abroad to speak at conferences, I saw the results of God’s handiwork. When going from one conference in Kenya to another in Egypt, I arranged a stop-over in Ethiopia. For two reasons. Our daughter is serving there among the homeless children, the AIDs victims, the sex victims. I wanted to spend a bit of time with her. But I also wanted to search out some of my roots. From childhood I had celebrated my uncle, Tom Lambie who had given his life there. My guide knew his story well and took me first to the Lambe Café. Outside an attorney waited. He thought I was his appointment, since I was a Westerner. When I told him I was visiting the work of my uncle Tom Lambie, he exclaimed, “Oh, he is the one who brought Christianity to Ethiopia!”
Of course, he forgot, perhaps, that it was some time earlier that Christianity came to Ethiopia! Remember Christ’s disciple, Philip, when he was sent to baptize the Eunuch, on his way home to the royal court of Egypt? Perhaps the attorney was thinking of the major Protestant denominations — two of them, not one, that Uncle Tom had founded a half century ago. Or was it the immense hospital complex across the street from where we stood, one of several Uncle Tom had established?
At any rate, we entered the little café and found a large photo of Uncle Tom caring for a wounded soldier and the Emperor, Haile Sallaise, standing by. Lambie was personal physician to the Emperor. After coffee we went next door to visit a prestigious girl’s school. The principal was delighted to meet the nephew of the founder. How they venerated Uncle Tom and his founding of this, the very first education for women in Ethiopian history. That was 80 years ago, but still they celebrate him. He so loved the people of Ethiopia, that when the Italians invaded and took control, throwing out all Western missionaries, he gave up his American citizenship and became an Ethiopian so he could remain.
Bad move, or, as one of those we met that day in Addis Ababa, put it, he bet on the wrong horse. When the Italian regime ended and the Emperor returned from exile to take control, he expelled Uncle Tom! But the story doesn’t end there. Actually, that’s where the story leads us to Bethlehem. Uncle Tom refused to retire. Instead he moved to Bethlehem in Transjordon where the people were oppressed, with many suffering from tuberculosis. So he established a large TB sanatorium near the place Jesus was born. And there he lived out his life. Jesus re-incarnated all over again, you might say.
As we ponder Christmas and perhaps return home or join family, how might you give up your rights and privileges to serve another? Our example? Jesus! Who miraculously condensed all his attributes and perfect character to come in the form of a baby! Why not re-read Philippians 2:1-11 and ponder the miracle?