Happy sweater weather, friends! When the hoodie season begins and it drops under sixty degrees, I’m humming “Jingle Bells” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” like there’s no tomorrow, and I’m sure many in our CH family can sympathize with me. This time of year presents us with a wonderful opportunity to consider God’s gift to us: Jesus Christ. The Bible says that He “made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:7) He came as our Servant and Savior, and those two roles go hand in hand. His willingness to humbly serve enabled us to experience freedom in Him. He affirmed this reality in Mark 10:45 when He said, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” He serves in order to save us, and sets us free so that we can serve others!
In John 13, Jesus gives the perfect example of this truth and gloriously displays His role as Savior and Servant. He told the disciples He must serve them by washing their feet - a picture of the call to salvation - and then instructs them to do the same - a picture of the call to servanthood. Christ served us by sacrificing Himself for our salvation, and invites us to serve others in how we live and lead.

The servant leadership demonstrated by Christ stands in stark contrast to the tyrannical headship we often see at work in the world. His rule and reign is different because it doesn’t restrain, constrict, or enslave us. It sets us free. He isn’t a dictator that seeks to make our lives miserable, but a sacrificial Lord who desires our best for His Glory. When we receive the free gift of salvation that