Merry Incarnation Day!

Every year this month seems to have more and more controversy surrounding what we refer to December 25^th as. Some will continue to say “Merry Christmas” still others will attempt to refuse Christ of this time and say “Happy Holidays”.  As you shop try to notice what employees have been instructed to say.  I am sure you will quickly see the controversy.  In reality the word “Christmas” comes from the practice of having a Christ Mass and “Holiday” comes from Holy Day.  However, both terms seem to have taken on their own meaning separate from the truth that they were supposed to represent. 

 

If you were to ask the average mall shopper what this time of year is about you would get answers like:  family, shopping, eating, giving and receiving gifts, or time off from work.  While all of these things tend to go with this time of year, they are not the real reason of this celebration.

 

The bottom line is that this day was set aside to reflect upon and remember the incarnation.  “The what?” you might ask. No, not the powdered chocolate breakfast drink. I am talking about the fact that God the Son, the second person within the trinity, was born a human. This is why John says that “The Word became flesh” (1 Cor. 15:47).  What a bizarre and amazing concept.  It is so “super” natural that it boggles our natural minds.  But we should at least try to wrap our mind around this great truth.  Think about it, God the Son, eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, perfect, and holy who created the world, was born in a cattle trough!  God in a manger!

 

It is tempting to see scenes of baby Jesus in a manger and think of Him as just another baby, but he was not just another baby.  He was also God.  Jesus went on to live a perfect sinless life. He backed up his claims by amazing miracles.  But Jesus came not just to be born or to live, but to die.  Wow, he left the glory and dignity of heaven to be born a baby, to live and struggle here with us, to get beat up, and nailed to a cross! Why? He did this to pay the price for our sins! The Bible says that our sin separates us from God both now, and more severely, in eternity.  Our sin demands justice from a righteous God.  A payment must be made, but what can we do? The only hope is to put our faith in the one and only one who was incarnated.  Who lived and died to pay the price for our sin, so that we could be spared the wrath of God against our sin, and become children of God! Now that is something to celebrate!

 

So, even if you don’t get the gift you wanted this year, remember that God gives eternal life and forgiveness of sins to all who trust in Jesus!  Let me end by wishing you a merry Incarnation Day and a happy New Year.”

 

“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:21)

 

—Trey Talley