Philippians 2:3-8 (NIV) ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ⁴ Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: ⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁷ but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!

In the first half of the Church year the focus is upon the life and ministry of Jesus. This half of the Church year begins four weeks before Christmas and ends with Jesus’s Ascension. The second half of the Church years focuses upon the life and ministry of Jesus’ Body the Church as He indwells us through the Holy Spirit in order that He might continue to minister—now through us. The first season of the Church year is Advent where we focus upon the coming of Christ (His birth & the beginning of His ministry). The second season is Christmas where we focus upon Jesus human nature. He becomes one with us, born of a virgin and becomes fully human. The third season is Epiphany where we focus upon Jesus divine nature—that while He was fully human and knew the temptations, etc. of being fully human, He was at the same time fully God. The fourth season is the season of Lent which begins with Ash Wednesday (40 days minus the Sundays) before Easter. During this season we focus upon Jesus’ work on earth culminating in His suffering and death for us upon the cross in payment for our sins. The fifth season is the Easter season which last 40 days. In this season we focus upon Jesus’ resurrection and the new life with which He daily as well as eternally provides for us. The sixth season is the season of Ascension. In this season we hear and acknowledge Jesus’ commissioning, putting us in co-mission with Himself through the Great Commission “Go and make disciples…” (Matthew 28:19). Thus ends the 1^st half of the Church year generally stretching from the end of November to the first week of June. The second half of the Church year is all one season. It begins with Pentecost whereby Jesus gave His Church His Spirit in order that we might complete His work (Colossians 1:24). This work is not the work of justification (already completed), but the work of proclamation (making His love known). We are now in the season of Lent where we focus upon Jesus’ work—particularly in His giving of Himself to the point death for us and all humankind (1 John 2:2).

Jesus, as You have given of Yourself for me and all people, I would ask that You now move me to daily pick a cross of servanthood (Luke 9:23). I pray that You might continue to give of Yourself through me for others. May I serve today even as I have been and am being served (Matthew 10:8). Work in me true humility in self-forgetfulness in other- thoughtfulness.