The Importance of the Incarnation

Christmas is so much more than the story of a baby born in a manger. The traditional date of Christmas, the one that we celebrate, is very likely not the real date upon which our Savior was born. But, the significance of the birth is much more than the fact of it And here is why. The birth of Jesus is:

The promise of our Salvation (Matthew 1:21)

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."

These words to Joseph, brought by the angel as he pondered putting away his betrothed wife, who was pregnant, caused him to determine to take her as his wife. They also give us a clue as to the destiny of this baby. Adam was told when he was put in the garden of Eden that if he were to eat of the tree in the midst, he would surely die. The serpent convinced Eve and himself that God was holding out on them, and that they would not really die. In the aftermath, God cursed the serpent, and told him that the seed of the woman would crush his head. Now, thousands of years later, Joseph hears that this baby would be the one to do that deed. Hebrews 2:14 tells us that Christ destroyed him that had the power of death (satan). Since the penalty for sin is death, as God promised Adam, then the only way to save those under the curse of death is to send someone to die for them. But having someone die who himself was already under the curse would be useless. Only one who was not cursed in the same way could do the job. That one was (is) Christ. Not only is He not under the curse, but He is absolutely sinless, entirely perfect. Other scriptures tell us that through Christ we have been saved from wrath to come. Now, through the death of this baby (which came 33 years later) mankind has a way to be saved from the awful penalty of death which Adam's disobedience brought upon all of mankind.

The promise of God with us: (Isaiah 7:14)

"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

Some think that long ago God made the world, and then sat back to watch what would happen. In their opinion, He is at most only merely interested in the events on this earth. But, the fact is that God cares intimately about the events on the earth. He cares so much that He sent His only Son to earth to die. In this verse it is said that the name of this one, born of a virgin, is Immanuel. Immanuel means "God with us." The problem with what is called original sin (described above), is it is in each and every one of us. Our nature is to sin; always disobeying God's ways. With no hope of ever following His ways. So He took the step in our direction. Conceivably He could have just given up after Adam's fall. Or He could have set us aside for some other corner of the vast universe that He made. But He cares so deeply for mankind that He sent His Son who set aside His glory and took upon Himself the form of a man. As Philippians goes on to say, "... (He) came in the form of a servant, and became obedient unto death, even death of the cross." God Himself was with us, living on this earth, breathing this air. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But to as many as received Him, to them gave He the power (authority) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in His name. God was with us, and through His Spirit, is with all who trust Him for salvation.

The promise of an Eternal Reign: (Luke 1:31 - 33)

"And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."

It may not seem so just now, but one day Jesus will reign as King over this whole earth. Once this reign actually begins, it will never end. In the above quoted verse, Mary is told by the angel that that will be the characteristic of the reign of her son, it shall have no end. It has been 2000 years since Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Some think that this long period of absence means He is never coming back. Don't be fooled! Much of scripture speaks of this future reign. A kingdom right here on planet earth. And it will be characterized by REAL peace, not paper truces. He will rule with a rod of iron. Those who are His at His coming, we are promised, will reign with Him. We weary ourselves of looking for peace. We become increasingly cynical about any notion of peace or harmony on this earth. We see the headlines, or witness some horrible crime, and are thereby convinced that this world is bound for hell in a handbag. Any promise of peace or harmony is rejected nearly out of hand. We consider that the one making such a promise is either incredibly naive, or a first-rate huckster. But God is neither. His reign of peace and harmony will certainly come. He is not sadly deluded. Neither is He confused about human nature, for He came to die in order to reconcile mankind to Himself. His kingdom will come. And nobody will be able to keep Him from pulling it off.

As Christmas 2000 is upon us. let us consider well the birth that we remember. Not the birth of a good man, a good example, or a great teacher. Rather, the birth of the God/Man, Jesus Christ; God with us, our salvation, coming King.

HJK