As we draw close to the mystery of Christmas, we don’t just discover who God is—we discover who we are...and what we're worth.

When you look at the face of the Christ child in the manger, you’re not just seeing Emmanuel, God with us. You’re seeing your own value reflected back at you. Your worth is revealed by what God was willing to pay for you. And the price wasn’t silver or gold...It was the precious blood of Christ.

In this reflection I offer some thoughts on what your true price tag should mean for your own self-worth—how you take care of your body, how you talk about yourself, how you think about your sin, and what it means when we hear "Body of Christ."

Here's the game plan:

1. Take better care of yourself.
2. Value the people around you.
3. See your sins in the proper light.

Don't sell yourself to the lowest bidder...especially when that lowest bidder is your own negative self-talk.

Take a few quiet minutes this weekend. Look at Him, remember what you're really worth, and honor how precious you are to God.

Special thanks to Rick Warren for the inspiration on this one!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. In what ways do you personally struggle to believe your worth is as great as God says it is?

2. Where in your life might you be “selling yourself to the lowest bidder” instead of living from your true value?

3. How does seeing Jesus as an infant in Bethlehem change the way you see yourself?

4. What would it look like—practically—to treat yourself with the dignity God has already given you?

5. How can you better reflect God’s attentiveness and love to the people around you this week?

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