Have you ever stopped to ponder the incarnation? I mean have you really stopped to think about the miracle of God becoming flesh in the person of Jesus Christ? If not, what better opportunity than this season of Advent for some reflection on the reality of God becoming flesh in the birth of the Savior. Try to picture the helplessness of a newborn baby lying in a crib crying and unable to do much of anything at all. That baby is completely dependent upon his parents and would have no hope of survival if left alone. Now try to picture the Creator of the universe becoming that baby. The One spoke the world into existence by His word and now sustains all things every moment of every day, is also the One who became a poor, little, helpless, dependent, baby. I must say that this is a hard thing to comprehend. In Colossians 1:19, we read, “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him.” That is truly amazing! The fullness of God dwelt in a little baby! Now, of course we know that baby Jesus grew into the man Jesus, but that does not take away from the fact that Jesus appeared in human form in the same way everyone else does – as a little baby. He could have appeared on earth as a full-grown man and began his ministry without going through childhood, but that was not in accordance with God’s plan. The fact of the matter is that Jesus was and is God and that he humbled himself, becoming flesh. But why? Why do such a thing? To the pagan mind, God becoming flesh is utterly preposterous and ridiculous. Such a thought would never be conceived, but to the redeemed mind, God becoming flesh is the most glorious thought imaginable. Listen to the words found in Titus 2:11-14.

11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

The grace of God has appeared in the person of Jesus Christ. More than anything else, the gift of Jesus Christ was a gift of “grace” and it answers the question of “why.” The people of God receive something through Jesus Christ that they don’t deserve. Instead of receiving a just payment for their sins – death, God’s chosen people receive what they are completely undeserving of – life and salvation. This is grace and it is the greatest gift in the world. It is terribly unfortunate the only Jesus that many people will ever conceive of in their minds is that of cute little baby Jesus in the manger. In this miracle of all miracles, God became flesh for a reason – to bring salvation and truth to his people through the gift of his Son. I want to encourage you to reflect on this truth during the Christmas season. You will be left in awe and wonder of God’s marvelous grace.