I hope you had a wonderful Christmas celebration with family and friends in 2024. Now that the festivities have wound down, and before we enter the new year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on something truly mind-blowing that we often gloss over during the holiday rush. Sadly, we've become so used to hearing the stories of Jesus being born in the manger, and hearing that the Son of God became a man, that we can tend to take it for granted, and fail to appreciate the amazing mystery of the Incarnation.
So, picture this: The almighty God who created the entire universe - galaxies, stars, planets, and everything in between - chose to become a tiny, helpless baby in a humble manger. Let that sink in for a second or even more. As Rex Morgan, our pastor at GCI Auckland, put it: "The Great God who created the Universe became a helpless baby in a manger. What a stupendous mystery! Could there possibly be anything more amazing than that?" 1
I don't know about you, but that idea always astounds me. It's like trying to imagine the CEO of a massive company suddenly becoming an intern, except on an infinitely grander scale. This concept, known as the Incarnation in Christian theology, is at the very heart of what Christmas is all about. So, let's unpack this incredible mystery together with the help of the Bible, some GCI pastors, and other writers.
"It is hard to imagine any greater mystery of how a God of the universe, the whole cosmos, would be willing to put on flesh and live amongst humanity in a hostile world. An even greater mystery is that he did it with such grace and truth." - Daphne Sidney
What is the Incarnation?
First things first - what exactly do we mean by "Incarnation"? Don't worry if you're new to Christianity or if this term sounds like theological jargon. We're going to break it down in simple terms.
The word "Incarnation" comes from Latin and literally means "to become flesh". In Christian belief, it refers to God taking on human form by becoming Jesus Christ. It's the idea that the eternal, all-powerful Creator of the universe chose to enter His own creation as a human being.
Now, I know what you might be thinking: "Wait, how can God become human? Isn't that like trying to fit the ocean into a teacup?" And you'd be right to wonder! This is precisely why the Incarnation is considered such a profound mystery.
Christians believe that in Jesus, God was simultaneously fully divine and fully human. He didn't stop being God, but He also became completely human, experiencing all the joys, sorrows, and limitations that come with being human.
"We must never forget, that though our Lord was God and man at the same time, the divine and human natures in Him were never confounded. One nature did not swallow up the other. The two natures remained perfect and distinct." - J. C. Ryle (1816–1900)
Why is the Incarnation Important?
You might be wondering, "Okay, that's an interesting concept, but why does it matter?" Great question! The Incarnation is actually central to the Christian understanding of who Jesus is and why He came to Earth.
Here are a few reasons why the Incarnation is so significant:
It Shows God's Love: By becoming human, God demonstrated His deep love for humanity. He didn't just send a message or a representative - He came Himself, showing how much He cares about us.
"And this is what inspires me most – that the eternal God is so loving, gracious, and personal that, in Jesus, he has decided to reside in and with me forever." - Danny Zachariah 2
It Bridges the Gap: The Incarnation allows humans to have a direct, personal relationship with God. Jesus, being both God and human, serves as a bridge between humanity and divinity.
"...through the Incarnation, I have a friend who acts in several roles on my behalf on earth and in heaven." - Kalengule Kaoma 2
It Brings Redemption: Christians believe that Jesus' life, death, and resurrection provide a way for humans to be reconciled with God. The Incarnation was the first step in this plan of redemption.
It Affirms the Value and Dignity of Human beings: By assuming human form, God demonstrated the inherent dignity and worth of humans. Jesus was fully human and had human nature. The reason all humans have sinned is not due to any flaw in God's creation, but rather because humans have chosen to misuse what God has made. Jesus has exemplified what human nature could and should be. Human beings are valued because they are created in the image of God and are the recipients of God's redemptive love.
"...the Incarnation is a sign of God’s eternal commitment to humanity. When the Word took on flesh, it was not for it just to be later discarded, but rather for it to be changed and made permanent." - Gavin Henderson 2
It Provides Understanding: Because Jesus experienced human life, Christians believe He can truly empathize with our struggles and joys.
The Incarnation isn't just about Jesus. It also affects us personally. When we're baptized, God's Spirit comes to live in us, similar to how Jesus was born by the Holy Spirit. This means we can share in God's nature, which is what the Incarnation was all about – bringing God and humans together.
In short, the Incarnation is amazing because it shows God's love for us and changes our lives completely. It's definitely something to be thankful for!
"I thank God every day for his love, for his perfect plan, and for being willing to trade his life for mine. I am so unworthy, but I am eternally grateful for his unconditional love and his perfect life." - Michael Rasmussen 2
The Incarnation in the Bible
Now, you might be wondering where this idea comes from. The concept of the Incarnation is rooted in various passages from the Bible, particularly in the New Testament. Let's look at a few key verses:
John 1:14 - "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." This verse directly states that the divine Word (understood as Jesus) became human.
Philippians 2:6-8 - Here we learn how Christ, "being in very nature God," took on "the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness".
Colossians 2:9 - "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form." This verse emphasizes that Jesus was fully divine even while being fully human.
Hebrews 4:15 - This verse tells us that Jesus can sympathize with our weaknesses because He was "tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin".
These passages, among many others, form the biblical basis for the Christian understanding of the Incarnation. William Barclay says about John 1:14: “It might well be held that this is the greatest single verse in the whole New Testament. We must therefore spend much time upon it that we may enter the more fully into its riches.” He also says, “This is one of the verses of Scripture of which a lifetime of study and thought could not exhaust the truth.” 3
The Incarnation Throughout History
The idea of the Incarnation has been a central part of Christian belief from the earliest days of the church. However, it's also been the subject of much debate and discussion throughout history.
In the early centuries of Christianity, various groups had different interpretations of Jesus' nature. Some emphasized His divinity at the expense of His humanity, while others did the opposite. Church leaders and theologians worked to articulate a balanced understanding that maintained both Jesus' full divinity and full humanity.
This led to important church councils, like the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD and the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD, which helped define orthodox Christian belief about the nature of Christ.
Even today, the Incarnation remains a topic of theological reflection and wonder. It continues to shape Christian understanding of God, humanity, and the relationship between the two.
“The central miracle asserted by Christians is the Incarnation. They say that God became Man. Every other miracle prepares for this, or exhibits this, or results from this.” - C.S. Lewis
The Incarnation and Us
So, what does all this mean for us today? How does the concept of the Incarnation impact our daily lives?
1. It Offers Hope: The idea that God became human shows that He understands our experiences and challenges. This can be a source of comfort and hope in difficult times.
2. It Inspires Love: God's willingness to become human out of love for us can inspire us to show love and compassion to others.
3. It Affirms the Value of God's Creation: The Incarnation suggests that human life and the physical world are inherently valuable, which can shape how we view ourselves and others. How can we place a lower value on our environment and the lives of others than God does?
4. It Encourages Empathy: Just as God entered into the human experience, we can strive to understand and empathize with others' experiences.
5. It Invites Relationship: The Incarnation opens the door for a personal relationship with God, inviting us to connect with Him in a deeper way.
Wrapping Up (No Pun Intended!)
As we pack away the Christmas decorations and settle into the new year, let's not forget the incredible mystery at the heart of the holiday. The Incarnation - God becoming human in Jesus Christ - is a concept that continues to amaze and inspire, whether you're a lifelong Christian or just curious about what all the fuss is about.
It's a reminder that the God of the universe isn't distant or detached but chose to enter into our world and our experiences. It's an invitation to see the divine in the everyday, to recognize the extraordinary in the ordinary.
The Word in the bliss of the Godhead remains,
Yet in flesh comes to suffer the keenest of pains;
He is that He was, and for ever shall be,
But becomes that He was not, for you and for me.
Rev. H. R. Bramley, "The Incarnation" - Christmas Carols New and Old
So, next year when you see a nativity scene or hear a Christmas carol, remember - that baby in the manger represents something truly mind-blowing - the Creator of the universe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, entering our world to bridge the gap between heaven and earth.
As we move forward into the new year, may we carry with us the wonder of the Incarnation - the astounding idea that God became one of us out of love. And maybe, just maybe, that realization will change how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. And maybe prompt us to action. God lived his life for us. How should we live our lives in return?
Perhaps, if God thought humanity was worth becoming part of and worth spending time with, we're a bit more special than we sometimes think. We are important to God. And that's a pretty amazing thought to start the new year with, don't you think?
For more reading on this topic, why not look at Rex Morgan's sermon: "The Importance of the Incarnation". Or for a short audio summary, listen to our podcast on YouTube - "The Incarnation and You".
REFERENCES
Sermon by Rex Morgan (GCI Auckland) - "The Importance of the Incarnation"
Article (Grace Communion International) - "What the Incarnation Means to Me"
William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Excerpt on the Bible Portal - John 1:1-18
Article (Grace Communion International) - "A Study of the Incarnation" by Michael Morrison
Article (Grand Canyon University) - "Theology Thursday - Doctrine of Incarnation" by Todd J Forrest
Article (Center for Pastor Theologians) - "Incarnation: The Central Miracle of the Christian Faith" by Marcus Johnson
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