Christmas is about Jesus "stepping down." Jesus stepped down to create a revolution. God wasn’t happy with the world. Too many proud people needed to be scattered. Too many lowly people needed to be lifted. Too many hungry people needed to be filled. So, God sent His Son.

Jesus "stepped down" to die on a cross and forgive our sins. He came to heal the hurting and to help the poor. Jesus was a revolutionary for justice. He has called His followers to do the same.

We must "step up" to serve the needy among us. We have influence and affluence. Will we step down to lift somebody up? The scriptures are clear on our responsibility.

Give generously to [the poor] and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
Deuteronomy 15:10-11

He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.
Proverbs 28:27

Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.
Isaiah 58:10-11

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
I John 3:16-19


I want to stand before God one day and say I spent it all for you! I took the responsibility seriously. I stepped up because you stepped down. I am so blessed to be part of a church that is challenging people to step up.