Christmas and The Incarnation

“If you really knew Me, you would know My Father as well. From now on, you do know Him, and have seen Him…anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.”
– John 14:7-9

This statement startled the ancient world and its impact has only increased over the last 21 centuries. The one speaking was taken seriously because He healed the sick, walked on water, and lived His life without sin! Then, after His death and resurrection, He met seven times with those who knew Him best and was personally seen and heard by approximately 500 people. This is why, for over these 70 generations, His words have moved the world toward faith, love, hope, and forgiveness!

There would be no Christmas story if the Messiah’s identity had not been revealed by His virgin birth and heaven’s unforgettable angelic announcement. At long last, mankind’s Savior had arrived. His incarnation was the greatest blessing the world had ever experienced. Quietly reflect on this amazing declaration, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth… No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.” (John 1:14 & 18) Clearly, to know the incarnate Son of God was to know His Father as well. Reflect on the Lord’s prophesy to His disciples, “You will realize that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.” (John 14:19b-20)

The miracle of His incarnation was the origin of every other miracle He ever performed. His actions on earth expressed far more than His own initiative, so He explained, “…I do exactly as My Father commanded Me…” (John 14:31). It was the incarnation that allowed the unparalleled grace of God to be experienced across the centuries. “But God demonstrated His own love for us in this; While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

If Jesus were not divine – the miraculous exchange enacted on the cross could never have taken place. Paul explained, “God [the Father] made Him [the Son] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) This incredible sacrifice exchanging the Perfect for the imperfect, the Holy for the unholy, the Creator for the created – demonstrated God’s ultimate agape love! “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” (John 3:16).

There is only one God, and that incarnate Savior revealed Himself to us in Bethlehem. For this reason, at Christmas, when Christians are singing and unitedly pointing mankind toward the Savior, be aware that we are also simultaneously pointing them toward the Father who sent Him. The Bible declares, “For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel your Savior…Before Me no god was formed nor will there be one after Me.” (Isaiah 43:3, 10b) To personally know the One sent – is to experience the One who sent Him!

– By Billie Hanks Jr.